[Federal Register: October 25, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 206)]
[Notices]
[Page 60702-60703]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25oc07-111]
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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
8(a) Business Development Program Regulation Changes; Tribal
Consultation
AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration.
ACTION: Notice of tribal consultation meeting.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announces that it
is holding a tribal consultation meeting in Denver, Colorado on the
topic of the 8(a) Business Development (BD) program regulations.
Testimony presented at this tribal consultation meeting will become
part of the administrative record for SBA's consideration when the
Agency deliberates on approaches to changes in the regulations
pertaining to the 8(a) BD program.
DATES: The Tribal Consultation meeting date is Sunday, November 11,
2007, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (MST), Denver, Colorado. The Tribal Consultation
meeting pre-registration deadline date is November 5, 2007.
ADDRESSES:
1. The Tribal Consultation meeting address is the Hyatt Regency
Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, Centennial C Room, 650 15th
Street, Denver, CO 80202.
2. Send pre-registration requests to attend and/or testify to Ms.
Delcine Montgomery of SBA's Office of Native American Affairs, U.S.
Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street, SW., Washington, DC
20416; or Delcine.Montgomery@SBA.gov; or Facsimile to 202/481-1597.
3. Send all written comments to Mr. Joseph Loddo, Associate
Administrator for Business Development, U.S. Small Business
Administration, 409 3rd Street, SW., Washington, DC 20416;
Joseph.Loddo@SBA.gov; or Facsimile to 202/481-2740.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Delcine Montgomery, Business
Development Specialist for SBA's Office of Native American Affairs, at
Delcine.Montgomery@SBA.gov or 202/ 205-6195 or by facsimile 202/481-
1597.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
SBA is in the process of reassessing its rules relating to the 8(a)
BD program, particularly those directly affecting tribally-owned and
ANC-owned 8(a) firms. 13 CFR 124.506, 124.513, and 124.519. Part of
SBA's analysis pertains to a recent report issued by the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) titled ``Increased Use of Alaska Native
Corporations' Special 8(a) Provisions Calls for Tailored Oversight''
(GAO-06-399). This GAO report concluded that SBA needs to tailor its
regulations and policies to provide greater oversight over its ANCs'
8(a) procurements. GAO determined that without sufficient oversight,
there is the potential for unintended consequences or abuse.
In response, SBA is considering regulatory changes to the 8(a) BD
program to address the issues and concerns raised in the report,
particularly those relating to ANC and tribal participation in the 8(a)
BD mentor/prot[eacute]g[eacute] program. It is SBA's intent that any
changes contemplated and instituted will incorporate the business
development intent and mission of the 8(a) BD program as established by
the Small Business Act. This notice provides information for the
purpose, format, scheduling, and registration for the tribal
consultation meeting.
Tribal Consultation Meeting
The purpose of this tribal consultation meeting is to conform to
the requirements of Executive Order 13175, Tribal Consultations; to
provide interested parties with an opportunity to discuss their views
on the issues; and for SBA to obtain the views of these SBA's
stakeholders on approaches to the 8(a) BD program regulations. SBA
considers tribal consultation meetings a valuable component of its
deliberations and believes that this tribal consultation meeting will
allow for constructive dialogue with the Tribal community, Tribal
Leaders, Tribal Elders, elected members of Alaska Native Villages or
their appointed representatives, and principals of tribally-owned and
ANC-owned 8(a) firms.
The format will consist of a panel of SBA representatives who will
represent the Agency and moderate the discussions. Oral and written
testimony will become part of the record for SBA's consideration.
Written testimony may be submitted in lieu of oral testimony. SBA will
analyze the testimony, both oral and written, along with any written
comments received. SBA officials may ask questions of a presenter to
clarify or further explain the testimony. The purpose of the tribal
consultation meeting is to assist SBA with gathering information to
potentially develop new proposals. SBA respectfully requests that the
testimony focus on the issues as discussed in the GAO report, general
issues as they pertain to the 8(a) BD program regulations and the
mentor/prot[eacute]g[eacute] program, or the unique concerns of the
tribal communities. SBA respectfully requests that presenters do not
raise issues pertaining to other SBA small business programs.
Presenters may provide a written copy of their testimony. SBA will
accept written material that the presenter wishes to provide that
further supplements his or her testimony. Electronic or digitized
copies are encouraged.
The tribal consultation meeting will be held for one day. The
meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. (MST), with a break from
12 p.m. to 1 p.m. SBA will adjourn early if all those scheduled have
delivered their testimony.
VENUE INFORMATION
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Location Address Date Registration closing date
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Denver, Colorado.............. Hyatt Regency November 11, 2007............. November 5, 2007.
Denver at the
Colorado
Convention
Center,
Centennial C
Room, 650 15th
Street, Denver,
CO 80202.
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[[Page 60703]]
Registration
SBA respectfully requests that any elected or appointed
representative of the tribal communities or principal of a tribally-
owned or ANC-owned 8(a) firm that is interested in attending please
pre-register in advance and indicate whether you would like to testify
at the hearing. Registration requests should be received by SBA at
least 5 business days prior to the tribal consultation meeting date.
Please contact Ms. Delcine Montgomery of SBA's Office of Native
American Affairs in writing at Delcine.Montgomery@SBA.gov or by
facsimile to 202/481-1597. If you are interested in testifying please
include the following information relating to the person testifying:
Name, Organization affiliation, Address, Telephone number, E-mail
address and Fax number. SBA will attempt to accommodate all interested
parties that wish to present testimony. Based on the number of
registrants it may be necessary to impose time limits to ensure that
everyone who wishes to testify has the opportunity to do so. SBA will
confirm in writing the registration of presenters and attendees.
(Authority: 15 U.S.C. 634)
Stephen D. Kong,
Deputy General Counsel.
[FR Doc. E7-21049 Filed 10-24-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025-01-P