This image is excerpted from a U.S. GAO report:

www.gao.gov/products/GAO-15-347

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION: Leadership Attention Needed to Overcome Management Challenges

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen is the keynote speaker for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony that recognizes the outstanding work achieved by this community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

HUBZone Small Business Conference

This infographic is related to a U.S. GAO report:

www.gao.gov/products/GAO-17-244SP

CONTRACTING DATA ANALYSIS: Assessment of Government-wide Trends

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen is the keynote speaker for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony that recognizes the outstanding work achieved by this community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

This image is excerpted from a U.S. GAO report:

www.gao.gov/products/GAO-17-244SP

CONTRACTING DATA ANALYSIS: Assessment of Government-wide Trends

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen is the keynote speaker for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony that recognizes the outstanding work achieved by this community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren is the Mistress of Ceremonies and provides closing remarks, during the 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

Awards for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony that recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

Awards for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony that recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

This image is excerpted from a U.S. GAO report:

www.gao.gov/products/GAO-18-666

SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTING: Small Business Administration Could Further Strengthen HUBZone Eligibility Reviews in Puerto Rico and Programwide

Note: SBA's 2016 revision to the definition of qualified census tracts eligible to be designated as HUBZones led to an increase in the number of eligible HUBZone census tracts in Puerto Rico.

ªIn addition to qualified census tracts, HUBZone areas may also be located in certain nonmetropolitan counties.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

This image is excerpted from a U.S. GAO report:

www.gao.gov/products/GAO-19-563T

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM: Actions Needed To Address Continued Oversight Issues

Note: Obligations to women-owned small businesses represent contract obligations to women-owned small businesses under WOSB-program-eligible North American Industry Classification System codes. FPDS-NG obligation amounts have been adjusted for inflation.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

Visit this location at Hub Zone in Second Life

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

This image is excerpted from a U.S. GAO report:

www.gao.gov/products/GAO-15-234

SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTING: Opportunities Exist to Further Improve HUBZone Oversight

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) AbilityOne liaison Herbert E. Brown presented awards to AbilityOne award recipients and was surprised to recieved this year's Special Achievement Award, during the 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

This image is excerpted from a U.S. GAO report:

www.gao.gov/products/GAO-15-234

SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTING: Opportunities Exist to Further Improve HUBZone Oversight

a) This category includes 18 cases in which firms were decertified solely because they did not meet the requirement for employee residency and another 4 that were not small businesses.

b) This category includes 144 cases that did not have any reason listed, and 5 "others" that a review of the comment fields revealed were mostly no longer in business.

c) In 278 cases, we derived these reasons from the comment notes because the reason for the decertification was coded as "other."

d) In addition to the 174 cases that only listed principal office as the reason, this category includes the 415 cases in which a voluntary decertification was listed as a second reason in the comments field that we reviewed and another 6 cases in which not meeting the employee eligibility requirement was indicated as a second reason.

This image is excerpted from a U.S. GAO report:

www.gao.gov/products/GAO-15-234

SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTING: Opportunities Exist to Further Improve HUBZone Oversight

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

The Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard, during the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony that recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2017 Small Business and AbilityOne Award Ceremony recognizes the outstanding work achieved by our own community, on June 21, 2017, in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony features the Mistress of Ceremonies and closing remarks by USDA Departmental Management (DM) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) Deputy Director Michelle E. Warren; Presentation of Colors by the Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard; leading of the Pledge of Allegiance by OSDBU Program Analyst Michael Spencer; singing of the National Anthem by OSDBU Program Analyst Dianna Price; welcoming address by Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration Malcom A. Shorter; Keynote speaker and U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Susan Au Allen; presentation of awards by Program Analysts Janet Baylor and Lavern Walker. USDA salutes all of the small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned and AbilityOne businesses that have provided exemplary services to the Department. We also recognize and pay tribute to the USDA employees who have excelled in their work with these businesses. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung.