Notice of Open Federal Interagency Task Force Meeting

AGENCY:

U.S. Small Business Administration.

ACTION:

Notice of open Federal Interagency Task Force Meeting.

SUMMARY:

The SBA is issuing this notice to announce the location, date, time, and vagenda for its public meeting of the Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development. The meeting will be open to the public.

DATES:

Date and Time: December 18, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

ADDRESSES:

SBA Headquarters, 409 3rd Street SW., Washington, DC 20416, in the Eisenhower Conference Room B, Concourse Level.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C., Appendix 2), SBA announces the meeting of the Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development. The Task Force is established pursuant to Executive Order 13540 and focused on coordinating the efforts of Federal agencies to improve capital, business development opportunities and pre-established Federal contracting goals for small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans (VOB's) and service-disabled veterans (SDVOSB'S). Moreover, the Task Force shall coordinate administrative and regulatory activities and develop proposals relating to “six focus areas”: (1) Access to capital (loans, surety bonding and franchising); (2) Ensure achievement of pre-established contracting goals, including mentor protégé and matching with contracting opportunities; (3) Increase the integrity of certifications of status as a small business; (4) Reducing paperwork and administrative burdens in accessing business development and entrepreneurship opportunities; (5) Increasing and improving training and counseling services; and (6) Making other improvements to support veteran's business development by the Federal government. On November 1, 2011, the Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development submitted its first report to the President, which included 18 recommendations that were applicable to the “six focus areas” identified above. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss progress on the recommendations and next steps identified by the Interagency Task Force (IATF) in the Fiscal Year (FY) 14 Annual Report. The agenda will include updates from each of the members, public comment, and planning for the FY 14 of the IATF's Annual Report. In addition, the Task Force will allow time to obtain public comment from individuals and representatives of organizations regarding the areas of focus.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

The meeting is open to the public; however, advance notice of attendance is requested. Anyone wishing to attend and/or make a presentation to the Task Force must contact Barbara Carson, by December 12, 2014 by email in order to be placed on the agenda. Comments for the record should be applicable to the “six focus areas” of the Task Force and emailed prior to the meeting for inclusion in the public record, verbal presentations; however, will be limited to five minutes in the interest of time and to accommodate as many presenters as possible.

Written comments should be emailed to Barbara Carson, Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Veterans Business Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW., Washington, DC 20416, at the email address for the Task Force, vetstaskforce@sba.gov. Additionally, if you need accommodations because of a disability or require additional information, please contact Cheryl Simms, Designated Federal Official for the Task Force at (202) 205-6773; or by email at cheryl.simms@sba.gov. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.sba.gov/vets .