Program Announcement No. GCBD-7j-2011-01-13-O, U.S. Small Business Administration/Office of Business Development (BD) OPENING DATE: July 1, 2013 CLOSING DATE: July 30, 2013 The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issues Program Announcement No. GCBD-7j-2011-01-13-O, as authorized by the Small Business Act, Section 7(j); 15 U.S.C.A. Section 636(j); 13 C.F.R. Sections 701-704, to invite applications from eligible 8(a) firms. The assigned NAICS code is 541611. One of the SBA AdministratorÂ’s major strategic goals is to strengthen the AgencyÂ’s entrepreneurial education; counseling and training resources to support the needs of existing businesses by successfully focusing on core program resources and ensuring these resources are aligned with the needs of high-growth small businesses. Consistent with that direction, BDÂ’s organizational strategic goal is to coordinate internal and external resources to maximize: 1) the availability of training services and products, and 2) the effectiveness with which training solutions are provided to meet business development needs. This 7(j)M-TAS is specifically tailored to enhance SBAÂ’s efforts to advocate for small business concerns in the federal procurement marketplace while at the same time seeking to strengthen small businesses, and specifically, 8(a) and other 7(j) eligible firms, and help them expand by increasing opportunities for them to participate in the federal procurement arena. The NAICS code for this initiative is 541611. Legacy services provided have been consistent with the Section 7(j)(l) non-exclusive list of categories eligible for funding, including: accounting, production and engineering; international trade; feasibility studies/market analyses/advertising; government contracting assistance, specialized services, financial counseling, business plan assistance, construction management; management training; loan packaging, computer programming services, data processing services, service contracts, seminars and workshops; and assistance in obtaining and increasing bonding levels. Applicants selected for awards under this Announcement are required to maximize their efforts to leverage SBA funding by working in conjunction with SBAÂ’s District Offices and other federal, state, local and tribal government small business development programs and activities; SBA resource partners such as SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, WomenÂ’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, 7(j) Technical Assistance providers, Small Business Investment Companies, Certified Development Companies, and SBA lenders; universities, colleges, and other institutions of higher education; and private organizations such as chambers of commerce and trade and industry groups and associations. Questions about this program announcement should be directed to the Office of Business Development at 7jgrants@sba.gov.