WIPP's myContracting Magazine January 2015 | Page 5

By Jennifer M. Horn and Maria L. Panichelli,

Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC

It is no secret that in light of budget cuts, government spending on construction related projects was down last year. One might reasonably expect this to be bad news for Women Owned Small Businesses (“WOSB”). However, the overall decrease in government spending has not resulted in a corresponding decrease in WOSB construction contracts. Recent numbers show a documented increase in WOSB contracts. Even with government cuts, WOSBs increased by $100 million overall. All of this bodes well for WOSBs looking to increase profits and market share in the coming year.

That means there is no better time than the present for you to get prepared! We invite you to participate in the following construction webinars that will focus on best construction business practices and offer tips on avoiding common business pitfalls. This is the second year of our ongoing series. Please join us!

Offering counsel to contractors on all aspects of small business procurement, we have acquired substantial experience with the government's WOSB/EDWOSB (as well as 8(a), VOSB/SDVOSB, and HUBZone) small business programs, they provide effective assistance to clients applying for WOSB, or competing for WOSB program set-aside contracts. Jennifer and Maria have successfully challenged negative agency findings with regard to clients’ eligibility, and successfully defeated both size- and status-related bid protests brought by competitors. Their small business practice also involves drafting corporate governance documents that will comply with small business program eligibility requirements.

The Fundamentals of the FAR, Part 2: The Source Selection Process Now that you have put your bid or proposal together, what comes next? This webinar teaches you about how the Government goes about selecting the ultimate awardee of the contract. Learn about “best value” and “trade off”.

Familiarize yourself with the source selection process, so that you can use the process to your advantage in winning more contracts!

REGISTER HERE, February 25, 2015 * 2:00 ET

The Fundamentals of the FAR, Part 3: Debriefing and Protests – You just got the bad news that you didn’t win that contract you were competing for. Want to know why? Want to know if there is any way to fight the agency’s decision and get the award after all? Sign up for this webinar and learn all about debriefings and protests. We will teach you how to use debriefings to see what you did wrong and what you did right, and walk you through the proper protest procedure when you know the contract was improperly awarded to someone else.

REGISTER HERE, April 8, 2015 * 2:00 ET

Bonding and Liens - The job is underway - but is your paperwork in order? Knowing the applicability and limitations of bond and lien law can sometimes make or break your bottom line. Sign up for this webinar and learn how to capitalize on these common but oft misunderstood creatures of construction law: bonds and liens. This webinar will address common bond and lien law pitfalls.

REGISTER HERE , April 29, 2015 * 2:00 ET

Defending Against Protests – Common Pitfalls to Small Business Program Eligibility (Affiliation, Control and Ownership). The good news is you won the contract. The bad news is that a disgruntled competitor has challenged your eligibility, and is protesting your award. Sign up for this webinar and learn how to defend yourself from eligibility protests, as well as how to prevent them in the first place by addressing common affiliation, control and ownership pitfalls.

REGISTER HERE, May 13, 2015 * 2:00 ET

Negotiation Tactics for Women – Join us for a panel discussion on the best practices for negotiating construction subcontracts!

REGISTER HERE, June 3, 2015 * 2:00 ET

1. Bloomberg

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