SBA Launches YouTube Segments, Lauds Record $93b In Contracts

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The US Small Business Administration has begun posting informational videos on YouTube as it joins an increasing trend within the federal government to use the popular video-sharing web platform to reach a larger audience. SBA is intent on reaching YouTube’s audience with its message of entrepreneurship, the importance of small business to the nation’s economy, and information on the agency’s programs and services.

“With millions of visitors, most of them under 35, YouTube offers a prime opportunity to use current technology and the appeal of a popular online platform to further promote the agency’s programs and services,” said SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills. “By expanding its outreach, SBA will be providing more current and potential entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to start, grow, and succeed in their businesses.”

The SBA YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/sba) debuted with a 60-second introduction to SBA, its programs and services, and a ten-part “Delivering Success” series co-produced with the US Postal Service.

Future content will include a variety of videos with more in-depth information about SBA programs and services to inform current and potential entrepreneurs. Topics will cover how small businesses can take advantage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act loan programs, government contracting opportunities, exporting to increase market share, counseling and training on how to start and grow a small business, and small business success stories.

In related news, the SBA announced recently that small businesses won a record $93.3 billion in federal prime contracts in Fiscal Year 2008, an increase of almost $10 billion from 2007, according to the US Small Business Administration’s third annual small business procurement scorecard, released August 21.

In addition, small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned businesses, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses increased their share of federal contracting dollars by at least $1 billion to $3 billion.

“This record $93.3 billion in contracts to small businesses is significant, however; across the federal government we are committed to ensuring that the 23 percent goal is met and even exceeded going forward,” Ms Mills said. “Especially during these tough economic times, federal contracts for small businesses can be just the opportunity they need to continue to grow and create jobs. At the same time, the federal government gets access to some of the most innovative and best products and services.”

During the third week of August, the Obama Administration reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that minority-owned businesses, small businesses, including women and veteran-owned businesses, have greater access to federal government contracting opportunities.

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Ms Mills announced a governmentwide plan that includes federal agency procurement officials holding or participating in more than 200 events over the next 90 days to share information on government contracting opportunities, including those available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Ms Mills said her organization has already begun taking aggressive steps to connect small businesses with contracting opportunities, as well as increase its outreach to federal agency procurement officers to make sure they get the information and tools they need to help them connect with these good, innovative small companies.

As part of its ongoing efforts to increase access to contracting opportunities for small businesses, the SBA is continuing to work with federal agency procurement staff to strengthen the integrity of contracting data, including providing tools to facilitate public review of data and training to improve accuracy.