SBA Honors Agency of the Year for Contracting Efforts – The National Park Service (NPS)

Today, the National Park Service (NPS) was named SBA’s 2009 Agency of the Year for Montana for their support of SBA’s http://www.sba.gov/mt 8(a) Minority Business Development contracting program. Jeff Sneddon, Supervisory Contract Specialist, accepted the award on behalf of NPS.

During FY 2009, NPS awarded 12 contracts totaling almost $3.2 million to Montana 8(a) participants. In the process, they utilized four different 8(a) contractors to perform the work on the contracts, which is the primary intent of the 8(a) program.

Firms in SBA’s Montana 8(a) Business Development Program were awarded a total of 41 contracts worth $165.5 million this past year, due in large part to the unwavering support of procuring agencies like NPS that ensure minority businesses throughout Montana have access to government contracting opportunities.

The 8(a) program is designed to help small disadvantaged businesses compete and gain access to the federal procurement market. Through this program, SBA has helped thousands of entrepreneurs over the years gain a foothold in government contracting. Participation in the 8(a) Program is divided into two phases over nine years; a four-year developmental stage and a five-year transition stage.

For more information about SBA’s 8(a) Program, loan programs, or other services, please contact your local SBA office at (406) 441-1081 or log onto http://www.sba.gov/mt.

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Crystal Baker

Business Development Specialist

Montana Small Business Administration

10 W. 15th Street, Suite 1100

Helena, MT 59626

406.441.1089

202.741.6817 (fax)

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