16^th Annual Business

Development Series
 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) invite you to join us for the 16^th annual Business Development Series (BDS XVI).  This series of FREE classes are for small businesses who are interested in doing business with the federal, state, and local government.  Learn how to market your business more effectively to these military and civilian agencies.

This training is only for serious businesses with an interest in competing in the government contracting arena.  Only the first 45 qualified companies will be given access to this specialized training at no cost.  We will cover a broad range of topics, including:

• Registering in the System for Award Management (SAM) and Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) – Only this class will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu, Computer Lab A227.
• Using government search engines to target potential contracting opportunities
• Creating a capability statement to market your company to government agencies
• Becoming certified as an 8a, Hubzone, Women-Owned, and/or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
• Obtaining bonding and financing to expand your business
• Pursuing subcontracting opportunities

Most classes will be held on Wednesdays at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) in Kapolei.  You must be able to attend all sessions or have a representative from your firm attend in your absence.  Full attendance is mandatory to receive a certificate of completion.

Class and event dates are currently scheduled as follows:  Orientation-02/26/25 (W), 03/20/25 (Th), 04/02/25 (W), 04/16/25 (W), 04/30/25 (W), 05/14/25 (W), 05/28/25 (W), 06/10/25 (Tu).

Please contact Mary Dale (mary.dale@sba.gov) for the screening/application form to apply for BDS XVI.  Your completed screening form must be received in our office no later than Thursday, February 18, 2025, to be considered for enrollment.  Please send your forms via email to Mary.Dale@sba.gov, or send a hard copy via USPS mail to:
U.S. Small Business Administration
500 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 1-306
Honolulu, HI  96813
Attn: Mary Dale

Following review, you will be contacted to confirm your registration.  Orientation will be on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 9:00 am at CNHA, 91-1270 Kinoiki Street, Building 1, Kapolei, HI.

SBA’s participation is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Please call the SBA at (808) 541-2990 to make arrangements.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov/hi.