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<GovernmentManual>
  <accessId>GOVMAN-2014-10-06-176</accessId>
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    <EntityType>Parent</EntityType>
    <Category>Executive Branch: Independent Agencies and Government Corporations</Category>
    <IntroductoryHeader/>
    <IntroductoryParagraph/>
    <AgencyName>Small Business Administration</AgencyName>
    <Addresses>
      <Address EntityAddressId="138" SortOrder="1">
        <FooterDetails>
          <Email/>
          <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov</WebAddress>
        </FooterDetails>
        <Address>409 Third Street SW., Washington, DC 20416</Address>
        <Phone>202-205-6600</Phone>
        <Phone2/>
        <Fax>202-205-7064</Fax>
      </Address>
    </Addresses>
    <LeaderShipTables>
      <LeaderShipTable EntityLeaderShipTableId="93" SortOrder="1">
        <FooterDetails>
          <Email/>
          <Footer>[For the Small Business Administration statement of organization, see the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 13, Part 101]</Footer>
          <WebAddress/>
        </FooterDetails>
        <Header/>
        <HeaderParagraph/>
        <NameColumnHeader/>
        <ShowFootNote>Yes</ShowFootNote>
        <ShowHeader>Yes</ShowHeader>
        <ShowHeaderParagraph>Yes</ShowHeaderParagraph>
        <ShowNameColumnHeader>Yes</ShowNameColumnHeader>
        <ShowTitleColumnHeader>Yes</ShowTitleColumnHeader>
        <TitleColumnHeader/>
        <LeaderShipTableValues>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1638" SortOrder="1">
            <NameColumnValue>Maria Contreras-Sweet</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Administrator</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1639" SortOrder="2">
            <NameColumnValue>(vacancy)</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Deputy Administrator</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1640" SortOrder="3">
            <NameColumnValue>Winslow Sargent</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Chief Counsel for Advocacy</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1641" SortOrder="4">
            <NameColumnValue>(vacancy)</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Chief Financial Officer</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1673" SortOrder="5">
            <NameColumnValue>Renee Macklin</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Chief Information Officer</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1642" SortOrder="6">
            <NameColumnValue>Paul Christy</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Chief Operating Officer</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1643" SortOrder="7">
            <NameColumnValue>(vacancy)</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Chief of Staff</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1644" SortOrder="8">
            <NameColumnValue>Sara Lipscomb</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>General Counsel</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1645" SortOrder="9">
            <NameColumnValue>Peggy E. Gustafson</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Inspector General</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1649" SortOrder="10">
            <NameColumnValue>Darryl K. Hairston</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Associate Administrator for Business Development</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1650" SortOrder="11">
            <NameColumnValue>Ann Marie Mehlum</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Associate Administrator for Capital Access</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1646" SortOrder="12">
            <NameColumnValue>James Rivera</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1655" SortOrder="13">
            <NameColumnValue>Tameka Montgomery</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Associate Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1647" SortOrder="14">
            <NameColumnValue>Robert S. Hill</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Associate Administrator for Field Operations</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1659" SortOrder="15">
            <NameColumnValue>John Shoraka</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Associate Administrator for Government Contracting and Business Development</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1660" SortOrder="16">
            <NameColumnValue>Javier Saade</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Associate Administrator for International Trade</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1661" SortOrder="17">
            <NameColumnValue>Carroll A. Thomas</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Associate Administrator for Small Business Development Centers</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1648" SortOrder="18">
            <NameColumnValue>Frederick Baldassaro</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Assistant Administrator for Communications and Public Liaison</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1651" SortOrder="19">
            <NameColumnValue>Sarah Bard</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Assistant Administrator for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1652" SortOrder="20">
            <NameColumnValue>Delorice P. Ford</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Assistant Administrator for Hearings and Appeals</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1653" SortOrder="21">
            <NameColumnValue>Christopher L. James</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Assistant Administrator for Native American Affairs</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1656" SortOrder="22">
            <NameColumnValue>Rhett Jeppson</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Assistant Administrator for Veterans Business Development</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1662" SortOrder="23">
            <NameColumnValue>Ana R. Harvey</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Assistant Administrator for Women's Business Ownership</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1663" SortOrder="24">
            <NameColumnValue>Brent M. Ciurlino</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Director of Credit Risk Management</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
          <Values EntityLeadershipTableValuesId="1670" SortOrder="25">
            <NameColumnValue>Mariana Pardo</NameColumnValue>
            <TitleColumnValue>Director of HUBZone Program</TitleColumnValue>
          </Values>
        </LeaderShipTableValues>
      </LeaderShipTable>
    </LeaderShipTables>
    <MissionStatement>
      <Heading/>
      <Record>
        <Paragraph MissionStatmentId="91" SortOrder="1">The Small Business Administration aids, counsels, assists, and protects the interests of small business; ensures that small-business concerns receive a fair portion of Government purchases, contracts and subcontracts, and sales of Government property; makes loans to small-business concerns, State and local development companies, and the victims of natural disasters or of certain types of economic injury; and licenses, regulates, and makes loans to small-business investment companies.</Paragraph>
        <FooterDetails>
          <Footer/>
        </FooterDetails>
      </Record>
    </MissionStatement>
    <OrganizationChart>graphics/GOVMAN-2014-10-06-176.jpg</OrganizationChart>
    <LegalAuthority>
      <Heading/>
    </LegalAuthority>
    <OrganizationStatement>
      <Heading/>
    </OrganizationStatement>
    <ProgramAndActivities>
      <ProgramAndActivity ProgramAndActivitiesId="254" SortOrder="1">
        <FooterDetails>
          <Email/>
          <Footer/>
          <WebAddress/>
        </FooterDetails>
        <MainParagraph/>
        <PointOfContact/>
        <ProgramName/>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="539" SortOrder="1">
          <Heading/>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="836">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Small Business Administration (SBA) was created by the Small Business Act of 1953 and derives its present existence and authority from the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 661).</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
      </ProgramAndActivity>
      <ProgramAndActivity ProgramAndActivitiesId="255" SortOrder="2">
        <FooterDetails>
          <Email/>
          <Footer/>
          <WebAddress/>
        </FooterDetails>
        <MainParagraph/>
        <PointOfContact/>
        <ProgramName>Activities</ProgramName>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="540" SortOrder="1">
          <Heading>Advocacy</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="837">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office of Advocacy is mandated by Congress to serve as an independent voice within the Federal Government for the approximately 27.2 million small businesses throughout the country. The Office is headed by the Chief Counsel for Advocacy, appointed by the President from the private sector with the advice and consent of the Senate, who advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before the Congress, the White House, and Federal and State regulatory agencies.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="2" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="838">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office monitors and reports annually on Federal agency compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), which requires agencies to analyze the impact of their regulations on small businesses and consider less burdensome alternatives. Small entities include small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and governmental jurisdictions. Executive Order 13272 requires Federal agencies to take the Office's comments into consideration before proposed regulations are finalized and requires the Office to train Federal agencies on RFA compliance.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="3" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="839">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office is one of the leading national sources for information on the state of small business and the issues that affect small-business success and growth. It conducts economic and statistical research into matters affecting the competitive strength of small business, jobs created by small businesses, and the impact of Federal laws, regulations, and programs on small businesses, making recommendations to policymakers for appropriate adjustments to meet the special needs of small business.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="4" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="840">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email>advocacy@sba.gov</Email>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Office of Advocacy. Phone, 202-205-6533.</Footer>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>Additionally, regional advocates enhance communication between the small-business community and the Chief Counsel. As the Chief Counsel's direct link to local business owners, State and local government agencies, State legislatures, and small-business organizations, they help identify new issues and problems of small business by monitoring the effect of Federal and State regulations and policies on the local business communities within their regions.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="541" SortOrder="2">
          <Heading>Business and Community Initiatives</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="841">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office of Business and Community Initiatives (OBCI) develops and cosponsors counseling, education, training, and information resources for small businesses. It has partnered with the private sector to promote entrepreneurial development. OBCI directs the national program of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), a resource partner of SBA. SCORE provides free counseling, mentoring, training seminars, and specialized assistance to veterans and active military personnel. For more information, visit www.score.org. OBCI also offers young entrepreneurs a teen-business site at www.sba.gov/teens.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="2" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="842">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office of International Visitors briefs foreign delegations, business organizations, and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) on the SBA model.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="3" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="843">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Office of Business and Community Initiatives. Phone, 202-205-6665.</Footer>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>In addition to education and training events, SBA offers an online management series on business growth and sustainability at www.sba.gov/library/pubs.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="542" SortOrder="3">
          <Heading>Capital Access</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="844">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Office of Capital Access. Phone, 202-205-6657.</Footer>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office of the Associate Administrator for Capital Access provides overall direction for SBA's financial programs. It offers a comprehensive array of debt and equity programs for startup and expanding businesses. In addition to lending to businesses that sell their products and services domestically, the Office provides financial assistance programs for small-business exporters in the form of loan programs and technical assistance. The Office also oversees a surety bond guarantee program for small-business contractors and SBA's lender oversight programs.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="543" SortOrder="4">
          <Heading>Disaster Assistance</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="845">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Office of Disaster Assistance. Phone, 202-205-6734.</Footer>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>SBA serves as the Federal disaster bank for nonfarm, private sector losses. It lends money to help the victims of disasters repair or replace most disaster-damaged property. Direct loans with subsidized interest rates are made to assist individuals, homeowners, businesses of all sizes, and nonprofit organizations.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="544" SortOrder="5">
          <Heading>Financial Assistance</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="846">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>SBA provides its guarantee to lending institutions and certified development companies that make loans to small-business concerns, which in turn use the loans for working capital and financing the acquisition of land and buildings; the construction, conversion, or expansion of facilities; and the purchase of machinery and equipment.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="2" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="847">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the nearest Small Business Administration district office (see Field Operations below).</Footer>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Administration also provides small-scale financial and technical assistance to very small businesses through loans and grants to nonprofit organizations that act as intermediaries under SBA's microloan program.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="545" SortOrder="6">
          <Heading>Government Contracting</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="848">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the nearest Office of Government Contracting. Phone, 202-205-6459.</Footer>
                <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/GC/indexcontacts.html</WebAddress>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>SBA helps small businesses, including small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, HUBZone-certified firms, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses obtain a fair share of Government procurement through a variety of programs and services. The contracting liaison helps small businesses secure an equitable share of natural resources sold by the Federal Government. It works closely with Federal agencies and the Office of Management and Budget to establish policy and regulations concerning small-business access to Government contracts. It assists in the formulation of small-business procurement policies as they relate to size standards, the Small Business Innovation Research Program, and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="546" SortOrder="7">
          <Heading>International Trade</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="849">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office of International Trade (OIT) supports small-business access to export markets and participates in broader U.S. Government activities related to trade policy and international commercial affairs to encourage an environment of trade and international economic policies favorable to small businesses. These activities are designed to facilitate both entrance and growth into the international marketplace, including educational initiatives, technical assistance programs and services, and risk management and trade finance products.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="2" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="850">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>SBA's export promotion activities for small business combine financial and technical assistance through a nationwide delivery system. Export-finance products include long-term, short-term, and revolving lines of credit through SBA's 7(a) Loan Program, administered by a staff of field-based export specialists located in U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEACs). They work with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and the effort is leveraged through close collaboration with commercial lenders, Small Business Development Centers, and local business development organizations.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="3" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="851">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>Available financial assistance can provide a business with up to $1.25 million, with terms up to 25 years for real estate and 15 years for equipment. Export Working Capital Program loans generally provide 12 months of renewable financing. For smaller loan amounts, SBA Export Express has a streamlined, quick approval process for businesses needing up to $250,000. Technical assistance includes making available to current and potential small-business exporters export training, export legal assistance, and collaboration with the 30 Small Business Development Centers with international trade expertise and the Government's USA Trade Information Center.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="4" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="852">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>SBA is required to work with the Government's international trade agencies to ensure that small business is adequately represented in bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations. OIT represents SBA and the Government on two official U.S. Government-sponsored multilateral organizations concerned with small business: the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. SBA's trade policy involvement is carried out with the U.S. Trade Representative and the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration. Private sector input on trade policy is achieved through participation with the small-business Industry Sector Advisory Committee on international trade. OIT also lends support to the Government's key trade initiatives, such as Trade Promotion Authority, the Central American Free Trade Area, and the Free Trade Area of the Americas. The Commerce and State Departments, the Agency for International Development, and the U.S. Trade Representative look to the SBA to share ideas and provide small-business technical expertise to certain countries.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="5" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="853">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>OIT's office in Washington, DC, coordinates SBA's participation/operation of USEACs, including budget, policy, and administration. It participates in a variety of interagency trade efforts and financial programs. OIT provides representations to the Cabinet-level Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee concerning trade and international economic policy. It also participates on the Industry Sector Advisory Council on Small Business International Trade and the congressionally sponsored Task Force on Small Business International Trade. SBA's Administrator is also a sitting member of the President's Export Council.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="6" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="854">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Office of International Trade. Phone, 202-205-6720.</Footer>
                <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/oit</WebAddress>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>OIT's field offices provide a nationwide network of service delivery for small-business exporters. Full-time SBA export specialists staff 16 USEACs. Their outreach efforts are supplemented by the 68 SBA district offices staffed by employees with collateral duties as international trade officers.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="547" SortOrder="8">
          <Heading>Venture Capital</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="855">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program was created in 1958 to fill the gap between the availability of venture capital and the needs of small businesses in startup and growth situations. The structure of the program is unique in that SBICs are privately owned and managed venture capital funds, licensed and regulated by the SBA, that use their own capital plus funds borrowed with an SBA guarantee to make equity and debt investments in qualifying small businesses. The New Markets Venture Capital (NMVC) program is a sister program focused on low-income areas, which augments the contribution made by SBICs to small businesses in the United States. In addition, NMVC companies may make technical assistance grants to potential portfolio companies.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="2" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="856">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Investment Division. Phone, 202-205-6510.</Footer>
                <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/inv</WebAddress>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Government itself does not make direct investments or target specific industries in the SBIC program. Fund portfolio management and investment decisions are left to qualified private fund managers. To obtain an SBIC license, an experienced team of private equity managers must secure minimum commitments from private investors. SBICs may only invest in small businesses having net worth of less than $18 million and average aftertax income for the previous 2 years of less than $6 million.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="548" SortOrder="9">
          <Heading>HUBZone Program</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="857">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email>hubzone@sba.gov</Email>
                <Footer>For further information on the HUBZone Program, call 202-205-6731.</Footer>
                <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/hubzone</WebAddress>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The HUBZone Program provides Federal contracting assistance for qualified small businesses located in historically underutilized business zones in an effort to increase employment, capital investment, and economic development in these areas, including Indian reservations. The Office coordinates efforts with other Federal agencies and local municipal governments to leverage resources to assist qualified small businesses located in HUBZone areas. The program provides for set-asides, sole source awards, and price evaluation preferences for HUBZone small businesses and establishes goals for awards to such firms.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="549" SortOrder="10">
          <Heading>Business Development</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="858">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, call the Office of Business Development. Phone, 202-205-5852.</Footer>
                <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/1/2896</WebAddress>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office of Business Development is responsible for the 8(a) Business Development Program. The Office assists small businesses by providing access to capital and credit, business counseling, training workshops, technical guidance, and assistance with contracts and loans. Its primary business development tools are the Mentor-Protégé Program and the 7(j) Management and Technical Assistance Program.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="550" SortOrder="11">
          <Heading>Native American Affairs</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="859">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Office of Native American Affairs. Phone, 202-205-7364.</Footer>
                <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/naa</WebAddress>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office of Native American Affairs was established to assist and encourage the creation, development, and expansion of Native American-owned small businesses by developing and  implementing initiatives designed to address those difficulties encountered by Native Americans as they start, develop, and expand small businesses. In addition, in an effort to address the unique conditions encountered by reservation-based entrepreneurs, the Office is developing a web-based resource entitled the "Tribal Self Assessment Tool." It is intended to allow tribal nations to assess their vision and goals relative to their governance structure, culture, capabilities, and resources. The tool is free and will be available online.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="551" SortOrder="12">
          <Heading>Regulatory Fairness Program</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="860">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>Congress established the National Ombudsman and 10 Regulatory Fairness Boards in 1996 as part of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA). The National Ombudsman's primary mission is to assist small businesses when they experience excessive or unfair federal regulatory enforcement actions, such as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, penalties, threats, retaliation or other unfair enforcement action by a Federal agency. The National Ombudsman receives comments from small-business concerns and acts as a liaison between them and Federal agencies. Comments received from small businesses are forwarded to Federal agencies for review and Federal agencies are requested to consider the fairness of their enforcement action. A copy of the agency's response is sent to the small business owner by the Office of the National Ombudsman. In some cases, fines have been lowered or eliminated and decisions changed in favor of the small-business owner.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="2" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="1997">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Office of the National Ombudsman. Phone, 202-205-2417 or 888-734-3247.</Footer>
                <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman</WebAddress>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>Each of the Regulatory Fairness Boards (RegFair) has five volunteer members who are owners, operators, or officers of small-business concerns that are appointed by the SBA Administrator for 3-year terms. Each RegFair Board meets at least annually with the Ombudsman on matters of concern to small businesses relating to the enforcement or compliance activities of Federal agencies; reports to the Ombudsman on substantiated instances of excessive enforcement; and, prior to publication, provides comment on the annual report to Congress.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="552" SortOrder="13">
          <Heading>Small Business Development Centers</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="861">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office of Small Business Development Centers (OSBDC) provides counseling and training to existing and prospective small-business owners at more than 950 service locations in every State, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. OSBDC develops national policies and goals, establishes standards for the selection and performance of its Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), monitors compliance with applicable Office of Management and Budget circulars and laws, and implements new approaches to improve existing centers. OSBDC also oversees 63 lead centers and maintains liaison with other Federal, State, and local agencies and private organizations whose activities relate to its centers. It also assesses how the program is affected by substantive developments and policies in other SBA areas, Government agencies, and the private sector.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="2" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="862">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Office of Small Business Development Centers. Phone, 202-205-6766.</Footer>
                <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/1/700</WebAddress>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Small Business Development Center Program is a cooperative effort of the private sector, the educational community, and Federal, State, and local governments. The program enhances local economic development by providing small businesses with the management and technical  assistance they need to succeed. It also provides services such as development of business plans, manufacturing assistance, financial packages, procurement contracts, and international trade assistance. Special areas include ecommerce; technology transfer; IRS, EPA, and OSHA regulatory compliance; research and development; defense economic transition assistance; disaster recovery assistance; and market research. Based on client need assessments, business trends, and individual business requirements, SBDCs modify their services to meet the evolving needs of the small-business community.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="553" SortOrder="14">
          <Heading>Surety Bonds</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="863">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Office of Surety Guarantees. Phone, 202-205-6540.</Footer>
                <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/osg</WebAddress>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>Through its Surety Bond Guarantee Program, SBA helps small and emerging contractors to obtain the bonding necessary for them to bid on and receive contracts up to $5 million. SBA guarantees bonds that are issued by participating surety companies and reimburses between 70 percent and 90 percent of losses and expenses incurred should a small business default on the contract. Construction, service, or supply contractors are eligible for the program if they, together with their affiliates, meet the size standard for the primary industry in which the small business is engaged, as defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="554" SortOrder="15">
          <Heading>Technology</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="864">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office of Technology has authority and responsibility for directing and monitoring the Governmentwide activities of the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR). The Office develops and issues policy directives for the general conduct of the programs within the Federal Government and maintains a source file and information program to provide each interested and qualified small-business concern with information on opportunities to compete for SBIR and STTR program awards. The Office also coordinates with each participating Federal agency in developing a master release schedule of all program solicitations; publishes the Presolicitation Announcement quarterly online, which contains pertinent facts on upcoming solicitations; and surveys and monitors program operations within the Federal Government and reports on the progress of the programs each year to Congress.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="2" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="865">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email>technology@sba.gov</Email>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Office of Technology. Phone, 202-205-6450.</Footer>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office has four main objectives: to expand and improve SBIR and STTR; to increase private sector commercialization of technology developed through Federal research and development; to increase small-business participation in Federal research and development; and to improve the dissemination of information concerning SBIR and STTR, particularly with regard to participation by women-owned small-business concerns and by socially and economically disadvantaged small-business concerns.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="555" SortOrder="16">
          <Heading>Veterans Affairs</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="866">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) is responsible for the formulation, execution, and promotion of policies and programs that provide assistance to small-business concerns owned and controlled by veterans and service-disabled veterans, which includes reserve component members of the U.S. military. Additionally, OVBD serves as an ombudsman for the full consideration of veterans in all programs of the Administration.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="2" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="867">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Office of Veterans Business Development. Phone, 202-205-6773.</Footer>
                <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/vets</WebAddress>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>OVBD provides counseling and works with every SBA program to ensure that veterans receive special consideration in the operation of that program. OVBD also provides numerous tools, such as the Vet Gazette newsletter, Reserve and Guard business assistance kits, program design assistance, and training events. Additionally, OVBD manages five Veterans Business Outreach Centers to provide outreach, directed referrals, and tailored entrepreneurial development services  such as business training, counseling, and mentoring to veterans, including service-disabled veterans, and reservists. These Centers provide an in-depth resource for existing and potential veteran entrepreneurs. The Office also coordinates SBA collaborative efforts with veterans service organizations; the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs; the National Veterans Business Development Corporation; State departments of veterans affairs; the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve; the Department of Defense Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program; and other public, civic, and private organizations to ensure that the entrepreneurial needs of veterans, service-disabled veterans, and self-employed members of the Reserve and National Guard are being met.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="556" SortOrder="17">
          <Heading>Women's Business Ownership</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="868">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) provides assistance to current and potential women business owners and acts as their advocate in the public and private sectors. OWBO assists women in becoming full partners in economic development by providing business training, counseling, mentoring, and other assistance through representatives in local SBA offices, Women's Business Centers (WBCs), and mentoring roundtables. Each WBC is tailored to meet the needs of its individual community and places a special emphasis on helping women who are socially and economically disadvantaged. Assistance covers every stage of business, from startup to going public. There are WBCs in almost every State and U.S. Territory.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="2" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="869">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>OWBO works with other SBA programs, Federal agencies, and private sector organizations to leverage its resources and improve opportunities for women-owned businesses to access Federal procurement and international trade opportunities. OWBO also works with the National Women's Business Council and the Department of Labor to maintain the most current research on women's business ownership.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="3" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="870">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email>owbo@sba.gov</Email>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Women's Business Ownership representative in your SBA district office. Phone, 202-205-6673.</Footer>
                <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/onlinewbc/index.html</WebAddress>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>SBA has loan guaranty programs to help women access the credit and capital they need to start and grow successful businesses. The 7(a) Loan Guaranty Program offers a number of effective ways to finance business needs, including unsecured smaller loans and revolving lines of credit. The 504 Program provides long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets, such as land and buildings, through certified development programs. Equity financing is available through the Small Business Investment Company Program. The Microloan Program offers direct small loans, combined with business assistance, through SBA-licensed intermediaries nationwide. The SBA does not offer grants for small businesses.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
        <Activity ProgramAndActivitiesId="557" SortOrder="18">
          <Heading>Field Operations</Heading>
          <Details>
            <Detail SortOrder="1" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="871">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer/>
                <WebAddress/>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>The Office of Field Operations provides management direction and oversight to SBA's 10 regional and 68 district offices. It serves as the liaison between the district offices, the Administration's program delivery system, and the headquarters administrative and program offices.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
            <Detail SortOrder="2" TypeOfProgramAndActivitiesDetailsId="872">
              <FooterDetails>
                <Email/>
                <Footer>For further information, contact the Office of Field Operations. Phone, 202-205-6808.</Footer>
                <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/1/37</WebAddress>
              </FooterDetails>
              <Heading/>
              <Paragraph>A complete listing of the regional, district, and disaster field offices of the SBA, including addresses, telephone numbers, and key officials, is available online.</Paragraph>
            </Detail>
          </Details>
        </Activity>
      </ProgramAndActivity>
    </ProgramAndActivities>
    <SourceOfInformationDetails>
      <EntitySourceOfInformation EntitySourceOfInformationId="370" SortOrder="1">
        <FooterDetails>
          <Email/>
          <Footer/>
          <WebAddress>http://ftp.sbaonline.sba.gov/</WebAddress>
        </FooterDetails>
        <Header>Electronic Access</Header>
        <Paragraph>The U.S. Business Adviser is available online at http://business.usa.gov/. To access the Administration's electronic bulletin board by using a modem, use one of the following phone numbers: 800-697-4636 (limited access), 900-463-4636 (full access), or 202-401-9600 (Washington, DC, metropolitan area). To access general information on the Small Business Administration online, use the link below.</Paragraph>
      </EntitySourceOfInformation>
      <EntitySourceOfInformation EntitySourceOfInformationId="371" SortOrder="2">
        <FooterDetails>
          <Email>answerdesk@sba.gov</Email>
          <Footer/>
          <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/about-sba/what_we_do/contact_sba</WebAddress>
        </FooterDetails>
        <Header>General Information</Header>
        <Paragraph>Contact the nearest Small Business Administration field office, or call the SBA answer desk. Phone, 800-827-5722. Fax, 202-205-7064. TDD, 704-344-6640.</Paragraph>
      </EntitySourceOfInformation>
      <EntitySourceOfInformation EntitySourceOfInformationId="372" SortOrder="3">
        <FooterDetails>
          <Email/>
          <Footer/>
          <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba_newsroom</WebAddress>
        </FooterDetails>
        <Header>Public Affairs</Header>
        <Paragraph>For public inquiries and small-business advocacy affairs, contact the Office of Public Communications and Public Liaison, 409 Third Street SW., Washington, DC 20416. Phone, 202-205-6740.</Paragraph>
      </EntitySourceOfInformation>
      <EntitySourceOfInformation EntitySourceOfInformationId="373" SortOrder="4">
        <FooterDetails>
          <Email/>
          <Footer/>
          <WebAddress/>
        </FooterDetails>
        <Header>Publications</Header>
        <Paragraph>A free copy of "The Resource Directory for Small Business Management," a listing of for-sale publications and videotapes, is available from local SBA offices or the SBA answer desk.</Paragraph>
      </EntitySourceOfInformation>
    </SourceOfInformationDetails>
    <FooterDetails>
      <Footer>For further information, contact the Office of Public Communications and Public Liaison, Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW., Washington, DC 20416. Phone, 202-205-6740.</Footer>
      <Email>answerdesk@sba.gov</Email>
      <WebAddress>http://www.sba.gov/</WebAddress>
    </FooterDetails>
  </Entity>
</GovernmentManual>
