A MESSAGE FROM MY CONGRESSMAN

June 12, 2009



Dear Friend,

Small businesses drive our economy and I am committed to fighting for them in Congress and making sure they have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Many small business owners are not aware that they can compete for federal and state government contracting opportunities. That is why I hosted a Small Business Contracting Seminar this past Monday so that our local business owners could obtain the skills and resources to compete for these contracts. Small businesses employ nearly 50 percent of Pennsylvania's workforce and created 70 percent of all new jobs in the past decade. The information that area businesses will receive by attending this seminar could prove invaluable to their individual business and to our overall economy.
The Small Business Contracting Seminar was hosted by Keystone College and the speakers included:
. Stan Soloway, President, Professional Services Council
. David C. Dickson, District Director of the Small Business Administration
. Mike Star, Manager, Supplier Development and Outreach Department of General Services, Bureau of Procurement
. Kevin Boshears, Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization for the Department of Homeland Security
. Timothy Foreman, Director, Navy Office of Small Business Programs
. Jeff Box, President of NEPA Alliance and Karen Ostroskie, Government Procurement Manager at NEPA Alliance
. Maureen Dispenza, Director of the WyomingCounty Chamber of Commerce
. Austin Burke, President of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
See below a recent news article discussing the success of the forum:
Small businesses get lessons in landing government work
The Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice - June 9, 2009
BY JAMES HAGGERTY
LAPLUME - Nick Conklin drove 64 miles Monday morning to learn how to steer through the maze of government contracting.
"It's about who and where and how to contact," said Mr. Conklin, an account manager at Clarion Safety Systems, a Milford company that manufactures safety labels and signs. "With government, it's different, so you have to learn how to network."
About 125 people turned out at Keystone College for a small-business seminar on public contracting that was sponsored by U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-10, Dimock Twp. Participants learned about registering with agencies, seeking bidding opportunities and organizations that can help them.
"The market is sizable, but it's often difficult to penetrate and navigate," said Alan Chvotkin, vice president and counsel at the Professional Services Council, a government services trade group based in Arlington, Va.
The federal government awarded $500 billion in contracts in fiscal 2008, but only about 1 percent of the nation's 27 million small businesses took part, said David Dickson, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
"You have a huge target of opportunity here," said Mr. Dickson, whose office is in King of Prussia. "You need to know where you fit in. You've got to do your homework."
Attendees were instructed on government contracting regulations and requirements and about Internet sites to monitor for contract opportunities.
Many businesses should get professional help to secure government work, Mr. Chvotkin said.

As always, please contact my office for more information regarding the small business seminar or any other issue of interest or concern to you. Also, please remember that this Sunday June 14, 2009 is Flag Day and the official kick-off of National Flag Week. So please remember to fly your flags with pride and take a moment to reflect on the struggles, the freedom and the great democracy that our flag represents.

Sincerely
,Christopher P. CarneyMember of Congress