Sales and Marketing

The U.S. Small Business Administration, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis will hold a series of free workshops on “Uniform Commercial Codes: Bringing Business to Indian Country.”

The Uniform Commercial Codes workshops will help tribal affiliated organizations, tribal governments and Native American businesses understand how adopting a secured transaction code can increase economic development opportunities.

The workshops will demonstrate how to compete in the marketplace; identify roadblocks and solutions to secure---- business transactions in Indian Country; explain the significance of commercial laws to borrowers; and discuss why lenders must have the ability to secure loan transactions.

ORCA is an e-Government initiative that was designed by the Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE) to replace the paper based Representations and Certifications (Reps and Certs) process.

Purpose: Client Research

Who should register in OCRA?

• A respondent to a government solicitation where a CCR registration is required

What is required to register?

• An active CCR registration
• A Marketing Partner ID (MPIN) from the Active CCR registration (a personal pin that allows CCR registrants to access other government applications such as Grants.gov and FBO.gov)
• Annual registration update is required

Who can access OCRA?

Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is the official, free on-line registrant database for the U.S. Federal Government. CCR collects, validates, stores and disseminates data in support of agency acquisition and award missions.

Purpose: Client Resource, Marketing Businesses

Who should register in CCR?

• Current and potential vendors must be registered in CCR prior to an award or contract, basic agreement, basic ordering, or blanket purchase agreement [See FAR 4.11]
• Private non-profits, educational organizations, state and regional agencies that apply for assistance awards via grants.gov must now register with CCR
• A foreign company that performs work outside the US is required to register in the CCR system in order to be awarded a contract [See FAR 4.1102(a)(5)]
• Exceptions are reserved for classified contracts (see 2.101) or contracts to support unusual or compelling needs

What is required to register?

Green dry cleaners, Green energy. Green puppy food. Green car washes. Green wall paints. Green grease removal.

Green: it’s everywhere.  It’s taught in the first grade.  It’s at the center of many corporate manufacturing and marketing policies. And whether you believe in climate change or still have doubts, consumers are now demanding GREEN.

Adopting environmentally friendly and energy efficient business practices provides numerous benefits to new and existing small business owners looking to control costs, attract customers and become socially responsible. Non-toxic, recycled, organic, energy efficient, reused, eco-friendly, farm-to-table: these terms, and others, all help define the fast-growing green market. 

So what can you do as a small business?  Remember, that regardless of what options you choose, each one of them should and must be connected to your marketing strategy and company messaging.  If you adopt energy efficiency practices, let your customers know; if you are committed to local agriculture, let them know, and if your product contains recycled by-products, let them know.  Four out of five consumers say they are still buying environmentally friendly products and services today – which sometimes cost more – even in the midst of a recovering economy.