[Federal Register: October 11, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 196)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 57889-57890]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11oc07-18]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 57889]]
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
13 CFR Part 124
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 Fairbanks, Alaska 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 October 24, 2007, 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m. (ATZ), Fairbanks, Alaska. The Tribal Consultation meeting
pre-registration deadline date is October 17, 2007.
ADDRESSES:
1. The Tribal Consultation meeting address is Pioneer Park, the
Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, 2300 Airport Road, Fairbanks, AK
99701.
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 Third Street, 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, Elders and elected members of Alaska Native Villages or their
appointed representatives.
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. (ATZ), with a break from
12 p.m. to 1 p.m. SBA will adjourn early if all those scheduled have
delivered their testimony.
[[Page 57890]]
Venue Information
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Location Address Date Registration closing date
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Fairbanks, Alaska.............. Pioneer Park, The October 24, 2007............. October 17, 2007.
Alaska Centennial
Center for the
Arts, 2300
Airport Road
Fairbanks, AK
99701.
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Registration
SBA respectfully requests that any elected or appointed
representative of the tribal communities that are 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. E7-19962 Filed 10-10-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8025-01-P
