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The SBA is now on Instagram - @SBAgov SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program for Small Businesses Affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic Launches The U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza launched the Paycheck Protection Program, a $349 billion emergency loan program created last week with the President’s signing of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES). The program provides forgivable loans up to $10 million to small businesses left financially distressed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The loans, which will be administered at the local level by a national network of banks and credit unions, are designed to maintain the viability of millions of small businesses struggling to meet payroll and day-to-day operating expenses. “These loans will bring immediate economic relief and eight weeks of financial certainty to millions of small businesses and their employees,” SBA Administrator Carranza said. “We urge every struggling small business to take advantage of this unprecedented federal resource – their viability is critically important to their employees, their community, and the country.” Read the full press release  Beware of Scams and Fraud Schemes The Office of Inspector General recognizes that we are facing unprecedented times and is alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times.  Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing. Learn more Job Announcements  The SBA is hiring temporary employees to assist with disaster relief efforts during these unprecedented times. The positions include: Call Center Customer Service Representative Document Preparation/Legal Review/Loan Closings Loan Processing/Credit Analysis/Mortgage Underwriting Program Support Apply today Federal Coronavirus Resources State, local, and federal agencies are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Check out coronavirus.gov for updates from the White House's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force. Go to cdc.gov for detailed information about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.   Learn more about the federal government's response Virtual Mentoring and Training  Offices around the country may be closed to the Coronavirus pandemic, but SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers and other resource partners are providing free business mentoring and training by phone, email, and video. Find an SBA resource partner near you SBA District and Regional Office Webinars on Disaster Assistance   SBA district and regional offices are offering webinars about Economic Injury Disaster Loans. These webinars explain SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and how you can apply for disaster assistance.  Sign up for SBA newsletters using your zip code to get updates U.S. Small Business Administration 409 3rd St, SW. Washington DC 20416www.sba.gov

April 3, 2020 Message from Dr. Wooten, Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy Colleagues, Thank you for your hard work as you advance your agencies’ missions and fight shoulder to shoulder during this pandemic.  You are fighting to remain safe and healthy, fighting the stress generated by waging this peculiar battle with an equally peculiar foe, and fighting the good fight to keep up with the all-important demands in your personal lives.  You are balancing all of this with your responsibilities as stewards of taxpayer dollars.  Again, thank you. In addition to our thanks, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy is committed to doing its part to ensure that we win this fight.  We will do our best to ensure that you have the information you need to make sound and timely decisions under these formidable demands.  As one step, we have stood up two COVID-related websites for acquisition.  One is an internal-facing website to provide easy access to information you may find helpful.  The other site is public-facing so that you can point your industry partners to a place for information they may find helpful.  Also, there are a few other resources listed below that might be helpful:  1) Category management resources, 2) OPM’s COVID-19 surge response program, 3) COVID-19 fraud and price gouging, and 4) Extension of continuous learning period. Additional information on these sites is below. The unprecedented nature of this response will require greater transparency and tracking and more guidance will come shortly.  In the meantime, we encourage you to take an extra moment before finalizing your COVID-related award documents to ensure use of plain and clear language.  This should help reduce additional after-action questions regarding the purpose or nature of the spend. As you work to supply the goods and services needed for this fight, you can be sure that OFPP will be mindful of the old adage: “for want of a nail.” Today, that nail is information. Please drop us a note if we can be of assistance.  Stay well and be safe!  Michael E. Wooten Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President Websites Public-facing website:  • This is a public-facing site on acquisition.gov that is designed to increase awareness and provide quick access to key COVID-19 documents of interest to the acquisition community. • There are four tabs on the site right now: (1) OMB Guidance and Memorandums, (2) Additional Information (which primarily includes agency guidance to vendors), (3) links to sites comprising the Government response to coronavirus (such as CDC), and (4) a link to the OFPP mailbox to ask policy-related coronavirus-related questions. Government-only website:  • This is an internal-facing site on MAX that is designed to promote increased awareness and rapid information-sharing within the acquisition workforce of agency generated artifacts (e.g., templates, best practices) related to COVID-19. • The MAX page, which will be updated regularly, currently includes government-wide coronavirus guidance, FAQs and OFPP responses, contact information for questions, agency guidance, and agency-specific procurement information/documentation, such as class justifications and FAR deviations. Category Management Resources   • A link to category management and COVID-19 acquisition resources and tools can be found on the main page of the Acquisition Gateway • On-demand “CM 101” training on category management foundations is always available here OPM’s COVID-19 Surge Response Program In response to the National Emergency declared for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), federal agencies will have opportunities for federal employees to support the overall response to COVID-19. The COVID-19 Surge Response Program will use Open Opportunities, which is a government wide platform offering professional development opportunities to current federal employees, as a central location for federal agencies to post details, microdetails, and/or temporary rotational assignments. If your agency is interested in participating, please do the following: 1.) Email workforce@opm.gov so we can invite you to a virtual information session 2.) Post details, microdetails, and/or temporary rotational assignments to Open Opportunities Note: You will need to create a user profile account on OpenOpportunities.gov in order to post a detail assignment. If you have questions, email mary.robertson@opm.gov. COVID-19 Fraud and Price Gouging Please see this important information on COVID-19 Fraud and Price Gouging Extension of Continuous Learning Period The Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) is extending the period for continuous learning due to challenges with earning continuous learning points (CLPs) during the pandemic.  FAI will issue further guidance when normal processes return.  FAI will allow enough time to complete the necessary training.  BROWSE BY TOPIC Recent Releases Best Sellers eBooks & e-Magazines Subscriptions Standing Orders Sale & Clearance SEARCH OUR SITE  "Spinoff 2020", NASA's yearly announcement of commercially viable products that have been created out of space scientific exploration. Every year, Spinoff highlights dozens of technologies developed for NASA missions that now improve everything from patient care to the self-guided cars and drones of the near future. The companies featured in this year’s publication span a broad range of industries and geographic locations, showing the diverse benefits our Nation enjoys from its investment in aeronautics and space missions. Spinoff 2020 is no exception to this incredible new invention progress. To purchase, click here For more titles from NASA  click here. Manage Your Newsletter Subscriptions: To subscribe to additional U.S. Government Bookstore email newsletter topics, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time, visit your Subscriber Preferences Page. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact support@govdelivery.com. **************************** PRICES: Prices and availability are subject to change. ORDER METHODS: In addition to online, orders may be submitted via telephone, fax (202) 512-2104, email, and postal mail. Contact the GPO Contact Center between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., EST at 1-866-512-1800 (Toll-free) or 202-512-1800 (DC Metro area or International Customers) to place or inquire about orders. When placing an order via phone, please refer to processing code 3378. Send email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov. To place an order by regular mail, send payment to U.S. Government Publishing Office, P.O. Box 979050, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000. **************************** U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) · 732 N. Capitol Street, NW · Washington, DC 20401 Shop our U.S. Government Online Bookstore: http://bookstore.gpo.gov This email was sent to politikimx@gmail.com on behalf of: Government Publishing Office (GPO) · 732 N Capitol Street, NW · Washington, DC 20401 · 866-512-1800

Joint letters take new steps to stop illegal Coronavirus robocalls By Lesley Fair Consumers hate illegal robocalls. And as the thousands of reports pouring into the FTC indicate, they also hate robocalls that exploit concerns about Coronavirus. In recent months, the FTC has taken innovative steps to take on not only illegal robocallers, but also companies that “assist and facilitate” their conduct. Just last week, FTC staff sent warning letters to nine businesses that provide Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services or other assistance to some of the entities that may be behind the onslaught of bogus COVID-19 calls. Additional letters just went out that reflect unprecedented actions in the fight against fraud. Read more >

Grandparent scams in the age of Coronavirus by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education “Grandma: I’m in the hospital, sick, please wire money right away.” “Grandpa: I’m stuck overseas, please send money.” Grandparent scams can take a new twist – and a new sense of urgency – in these days of Coronavirus. Here’s what to keep in mind. Read more > The FTC keeps attacking robocalls by Lois Greisman Associate Director, Division of Marketing Practices, FTC Have you noticed lately that you’re getting fewer robocalls? Yes, way too many calls are still coming, and we’re fully engaged on that issue. But we’re seeing some promising developments. Some recent FTC actions might just have something to do with that. Read more > U.S. Department of Labor April 3, 2020 Paid Sick and Family and Medical Leave for COVID-19 The U.S. Department of Labor issued a temporary rule related to implementing new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Helping Unemployed Americans The Department announced new guidance on unemployment insurance for states in response to COVID-19. The new guidance helps states implement new legislation that makes workers who are normally not eligible for unemployment benefits—such as self-employed and gig workers—eligible for benefits and that provides expanded unemployment insurance benefits for all workers. Respiratory Protection Guidance OSHA has issued interim enforcement guidance to help combat supply shortages of disposable N95 filtering facepiece respirators (N95 FFRs). COVID-19 Updates and Resources Website: Unemployment insurance relief during COVID-19 outbreak. Release: Wage and Hour guidance on paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave benefits related to COVID-19. Posters: New workplace posters on paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Recovery Act are now available in Spanish, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Thai, and Vietnamese. Webinar: A Wage and Hour Division webinar explains which employers are covered by the new paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave law, which workers are eligible, and what benefits and protections the law provides. Videos: New OSHA videos offer quick tips on assessing and responding to workplace risks to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Bulletin: Flexibilities for Registered Apprenticeship Programs to more easily use online instruction and promote social distancing. Online Dialogue: The Department's national online dialogue on paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave has been extended until April 10. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Wildfire Grants The Department awarded $2 million in additional funding to support workers dislocated by the 2018 Carr Fire in California. Safety Hazards OSHA cited a New Jersey manufacturer for workplace safety and health hazards, and proposed $151,329 in penalties. Safety Citations OSHA has cited a Florida manufacturer for exposing employees to amputation, noise, struck-by and other safety and health hazards. The window and door manufacturer faces $162,688 in penalties.