Hurricane Katrina and Rita Help

Dear Minority Business Owner:

On behalf of U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), I want to make you aware of our efforts to ensure more minority and locally owned businesses are engaged in the Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts as contractors and subcontractors.

The Department of Commerce has launched the Hurricane Contracting Information Center (HCIC) to help U.S. businesses, especially minority and small businesses, navigate federal agencies and bid for contracts with ease. The HCIC is an interagency effort to provide a centralized location for information and services available throughout the government geared to help in the contracting process. The HCIC is being staffed by representatives from various federal agencies including:

Department of Commerce Department of Defense
Department of Energy Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Homeland Security Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of Labor Department of Transportation
Department of Education General Services Administratione
Small Business Administration Department of Agriculture

The HCIC includes a website that allows companies to register with government agencies that are providing contracts to rebuild the Gulf Coast. It also includes a call center (1-888-4USADOC) with representatives from different government agencies to assist companies with the registration and contracting process.

MBDA, through its nationwide network of business development specialists, is also available to provide business management assistance to minority entrepreneurs on capacity building, bonding, insurance requirements, certifications, venture capital, and B2B alliances.

If you are interested in reconstruction contracting opportunities, please contact the HCIC by visiting their website at http://www.rebuildingthegulfcoast.gov or or by calling 1-888-4USADOC.

If you are seeking business development services, please visit the MBDA website at http://www.mbda.gov to find an MBDA office near you.

Sincerely,

Ronald N. Langston
National Director