The Small Business Guide to Government Contracts is Here

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Steven Koprince

As a born-and-raised Midwesterner, I freely admit it: I’m a sucker for some good country music. So when the Garth Brooks classic, “Shameless,” popped up on the radio the other day, I did what any self-respecting North Dakotan would do and turned up the volume. (Random music trivia: “Shameless” was written and originally performed by Billy Joel, and appeared on Joel’s Storm Front album).

Which brings me to the topic of this post: a “shameless” plug for my book, The Small-Business Guide to Government Contracts, which is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers. The Small-Business Guide to Government Contracts covers many of the key rules and regulations small government contractors should know, including the SBA size and affiliation rules, subcontracting rules, ethics requirements, wage and hour regulations, and the rules applicable to the 8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone, and WOSB programs. You can find out more about the book at the Small-Business Guide to Government Contracts website.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to your favorite bookseller and pick up a copy for yourself and an extra for that special small government contractor in your life. And, if you feel like going country, don’t hesitate to pick up Garth Brooks’ Greatest Hits while you’re at it.

Event: Best Practices for Remaining HUBZone Compliant

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Steven Koprince

HUBZone small businesses, circle your calendars. The 2012 National HUBZone Conference is coming September 5-7 in Washington, DC. The conference will feature matchmaking sessions, exhibits, and educational sessions–including one you won’t want to miss on “Best Practices for Remaining HUBZone Compliant,” presented by yours truly.

If you’re a HUBZone company, you know how difficult it can be to maintain ongoing compliance. It’s easy to inadvertently slip below the 35% threshold or even fall out of compliance with the principal office requirement. My session will explain the nuances of the rules, including common compliance mistakes HUBZone firms make. And, as the title suggests, I will provide “Best Practice” tips on remaining on the straight and narrow.

I’m tentatively scheduled to speak on the morning of Thursday, September 6. If you can’t make the full session, I will be offering an abbreviated version during the afternoon of Wednesday, September 5.

Many thanks to Mark Crowley and the HUBZone Council for inviting me to speak at what promises to be a wonderful conference. I hope to see you there!

The Small-Business Guide to Government Contracts: Two Weeks to Go

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Steven Koprince

What are your plans after work on Wednesday, June 6? Dinner out? Happy hour? Collapsing on the couch in front of a Law & Order: SVU marathon with a giant bag of Skittles? How about ordering a book about legal compliance for small government contractors? Yes, it’s shameless plug time: two weeks to go until the publication of my book, The Small-Business Guide to Government Contracts.

I wrote the Small-Business Guide to Government Contracts to help small contractors understand their compliance obligations in the federal marketplace. The book covers rules and regulations from size and affiliation to ethics, wage and hour requirements, and the special compliance requirements of the four major socioeconomic set-aside programs (8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone, and WOSB). It even includes some handy-dandy checklists to help contractors track compliance.

Yes, I know you’ve got big plans on June 6. I’m not going to get between you and your Skittles. But don’t worry–you can pre-order The Small-Business Guide to Government Contracts today at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.