Ien Sbdc Small Business Weekly Connection

------IEN SBDC SMALL BUSINESS WEEKLY CONNECTION ------February 20, 2006

In Today's Weekly Connection:

- ASBDC Return on Investment Brochure - INNOVATE Illinois Deadline - Fast Approaching - January 2006 Statistical Report - Downstate Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Day (DIOSHDay) - disabilityworks Survey - SBDC Coordinator Position at ISU SBDC - HSIEC Newsletter - February 2006

ASBDC Return on Investment Brochure Attached you will find a copy of an excellent brochure that addresses the success and the return on investment for America's Small Business Development Center Network. Please note that the picture on the lower right front panel is a photo from Elastec, a client of the SBDC at Southeastern Illinois College. The brochure also includes a quote from a client of the SBDC International Trade Center at Bradley University, Doug Parsons with Excel Foundry.

INNOVATE Illinois Deadline - Fast Approaching

INNOVATE Illinois Application Deadline Approaching Applications are due March 1, 2006 - don't miss this chance to compete for $25,000 of cash and prizes for your company

Apply now at www.INNOVATEillinois.org

INNOVATE Illinois is a business innovation challenge created to recognize innovative, high-growth small businesses in Illinois. This competition highlights the innovative products, processes or services that are vitally important to the economic health and growth of Illinois.

Companies in five industries - manufacturing, health or business services, environmental, technology and agriculture will compete to win $25,000 of cash and prizes and be recognized as one of Illinois' most innovative small businesses in 2006. Two additional awards will be given to the top overall minority-owned business and woman-owned business.

January 2006 Statistical Report Attached you will find the January 2006 Statistical Report for the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network (IEN) Small Business Development Centers, SBDC International Trade Centers/NAFTA Opportunity Centers, Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, IEN Business Information Center and the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program.

Downstate Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Day (DIOSHDay) Making and keeping the workplace healthy and safe is the focus of the 15th annual Downstate Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Day (DIOSHDay), slated for March 1, 2006, at the Peoria Civic Center.

SBDC Coordinator Position at ISU SBDC Attached is a job description for a new position entitled Sponsored Project, Program Coordinator, within the Small Business Development Center and the Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at Illinois State University. Please click on the following application link and see the attached for more information. https://www.ilstujobs.com/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1139848730773

disabilityworks Survey Small Businesses Owned by People with Disabilities - disabilityworks is compiling a list of small businesses owned by people with disabilities in the Northeast Region of Illinois. This list will be posted on the upcoming disabilityworks web site and also be distributed in other ways. If you are aware of a Small Business that is OWNED by people with disabilities... And if the business provides for-profit products or services... And if they can provide business references if requested... And if you think they would like this business to be listed in a directory... Then please ask them to reply to the below survey.

Small Business Name: Street Address: City, State, Zip: Contact Person: Phone: Fax: TTY: Email: Website: Business Hours: Year Established: Number of Employees: Business Industry Category (2 words or less): Business Description (2 sentences or less): By replying to this survey I acknowledge that people with disabilities own the above business.

The business may also be contacted further if other business information is requested.

For more information please contact: Joe Chiappetta, Managing Director CPLN Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce 330 N. Wabash, Suite 2800, Chicago, IL 60611-3695 312-494-6729 [email protected]

Visit www.chicagolandchamber.org disabilityworks: Increasing economic opportunity in Illinois

HSIEC Newsletter - February 2006

Homeland Security Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center Newsletter February 2006 Business Intelligence for Homeland Security

Last month we highlighted the Homeland Security Advanced Research Project Agency (HSARPA). We recommended that our readers sign up for HSARPA’s mailing list to receive notices about upcoming Broad Agency Announcements. To refresh your memory, sign up at: http://www.davincinetbook.com/hsarpa/listserv/listserv.asp

But there are numerous ways to develop insight on homeland security market opportunities, needs, and trends. One of the key sources to track is the TSWG website. TSWG, short for Technical Support Working Group, “is the U.S. national forum that identifies, prioritizes, and coordinates interagency and international research and development (R&D) requirements for combating terrorism. The TSWG rapidly develops technologies and equipment to meet the high priority needs of the combating terrorism community, and addresses joint international operational requirements through cooperative R&D with major allies.” In particular TSWG is holding its 7th Advanced Planning Briefing for Industry (APBI) on February 21 in Washington, DC. For more information on how you can attend, please see the following links and contact information for TSWG’s 10 mission area subgroups: http://www.tswg.gov/tswg/home/home.htm

APBI information: http://www.ndia.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Meetings_and_Events/Schedule_of_Events/Events/6090/6090_AG .pdf

Mission area subgroups:

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Countermeasures [email protected]

Explosives Detection [email protected]

Improvised Device Defeat [email protected]

Infrastructure Protection [email protected]

Investigative Support and Forensics [email protected]

Physical Security [email protected]

Surveillance, Collection, and Operations Support [email protected]

Tactical Operations Support [email protected]

Training Technology Development [email protected]

VIP Protection [email protected]

Another source to consider for homeland security market intelligence is the Homeland Defense Journal. To read HDJ’s online edition or to sign up for HDJ’s print newsletter, please go to: http://homelanddefensejournal.com/

HSIEC will continue to highlight other opportunities for homeland security market intelligence in future newsletters.

Gov. Blagojevich Announces $325,000 in Grants to Help Develop High-Tech, Homeland Security Products and Create 40 New Jobs

Innovative Product Grant Recipients: RiverGlass Inc. ($150,000) and SSS Research, Inc. ($175,000)

CHICAGO – Building on his commitment to create jobs and economic growth by making Illinois a leader of innovation and product development in the homeland security industry, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced $325,000 in grants for two growing Illinois homeland security companies. The Opportunity Returns funding, which comes from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Homeland Security Market Development bureau, will help create 40 new jobs at the two companies and continue to expand the market for an industry in which Illinois is emerging as a national leader. For the full press release go here: http://www.homelandsecurityiec.org/dojo/218/IL%20DCEO%20IPG%20Homeland%20Security%20Awards %201-9-06.pdf

Gov. Blagojevich Announces Winners of Homeland Security Business Plan Contest in Rock River Valley

Challenge Grant Recipients: Roc-net Holdings, LLC, in partnership with Prairie Shield ($7,500) and MCJ, Inc. ($5,000)

CHICAGO - Building on his commitment to creating jobs and growing the economy by making Illinois a leader of innovation and product development in the homeland security industry, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced $12,500 in entrepreneurial challenge grants to help support this growing industry in Northern Illinois. As co-winners of the Homeland Security Business Plan Contest, Roc-net Holdings, LLC, in partnership with Prarie Shield, will receive a $7,500 award and MCJ, Inc. will receive $5,000 in funding from the Rock River Valley Entrepreneurship Center (RRVEC) and the Homeland Security Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (HSIEC) at Northwestern University. For the full press release go here: http://www.homelandsecurityiec.org/dojo/218/homeland%20security%20challenge%20grants.1-26-061.pdf

Homeland Security Procurement Technical Assistance Center (HS PTAC)

HS PTAC is part of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities' (DCEO) Homeland Security Market Development (HSMD) bureau. The center offers specialized business development services to companies seeking to conduct business with the public sector at the federal, state or local level for companies providing homeland security products and services. HS PTAC's target industries include Information Technology Services; Advanced Manufacturing and Electronic Communication; Food Safety, Security and Technology; and Bio-tech, public health and life science. Specifically, they help with identifying point-of-contacts for small businesses, computerized bid searches of open contract opportunities, assistance with federal specifications, and assistance with electronic commerce implementation. As needed, HS PTAC leverages HSMD's Washington D.C. office to provide enhanced services. HS PTAC tracks Homeland Security industry trends in order to develop a better understanding of market needs and to help clients build stronger relationships with government buyers.

For more information regarding the HS PTAC, please contact Rita Hatcher, [email protected] at 630.942.2616 or go here: http://www.cod.edu/BPI/hsptac.htm.

Funding Opportunities

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) HSARPA is initiating a new Bioinformatics and Assay Development solicitation, BIAD2 (BAA 06-01), to address a number of technology gaps and requirements for biodetection. This solicitation will leverage the vast research and development capabilities of the private sector and academia in order to meet the needs of HSARPA and Homeland Security. In order to meet these requirements, this solicitation will:

 Develop and validate actionable assays for the public and private sector

 Develop and validate new assays and novel assay methodologies to enhance existing detection systems and enable future detection platforms

 Develop next generation assays which are robust against novel, emerging and engineered threats

 Develop novel assays that detect low levels of ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based viral threats in complex backgrounds

 Develop novel assays to characterize the viability, degree of virulence or toxicity, and countermeasure resistance of a biological agent

 Develop new bioinformatics tools to support assay development and assay validation

Deadlines:

White Paper Registration Due: 2/23/2006 White Paper Submit Deadline: 2/28/2006 Full Proposal Registration Due: 4/21/2006 Full Proposal Submit Deadline: 4/28/2006 More Information: http://www.fbo.gov/spg/DHS-DR/OCPO/DHS-OCPO/HSHQPA%2D06%2DR %2D013106/listing.html

Quick Links

HSIEC Challenge Grant www.http://www.homelandsecurityiec.org/dojo/218/v.jsp?p=/awards

HSARPA Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) http://www.hsarpasbir.com/

Homeland Security Market Development Bureau http://www.hsmd.illinois.gov/

Homeland Security Procurement Technology Assistance Center http://www.cod.edu/BPI/hsptac.htm

Upcoming Events . . .

Meeting - ITDA - Monday Morning Meeting, Topic: Homeland Security February 13, 2006 Evanston, IL Web: www.homelandsecurityiec.org/dojo/218/ITDA%20MMM%20Feb13_2006.pdf

The Illinois Technology Development Alliance in partnership with ITEC-Evanston and the Homeland Security Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center at Northwestern University (HSIEC) will be holding a special Monday Morning Meeting with a focus on homeland security.

Register with Carolyn Saunders: [email protected].

Briefing - Highlighting Homeland Security Private Sector Capabilities and Public-Private Partnerships in the State of Illinois February 28, 2006 Washington, DC Web: www.homelandsecurityiec.org/dojo/218/HSMD%20DC%20Event.pdf

This event will provide an overview of Illinois' programs and strategies to support emerging economic sectors such as homeland security, information technology, biotechnology, transportation and food/agro-security as well as highlight the successes of homeland security and advanced technology firms that do business in Illinois.

Conference - AeA Midwest Federal, State and Local Interoperable Communications Program March 2, 2006 Chicago, IL Web: www.aeanet.org/Events/mwms_localstateprocurement0306.asp

Federal, State, City of Chicago, and industry executives discuss Interoperability, upcoming trends, challenges, and opportunities in high-tech.

Conference - Homeland Security Contracting Forum: College of DuPage March 15, 2006 Glen Ellyn, IL Web: www.homelandsecurityiec.org/dojo/218/hs%20cf%20brochure%2006-507.HS_Conf_bro1.pdf

College of DuPage Homeland Security Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the Homeland Security Market Development Bureau present a full day conference of up-to-date practical information on Homeland Security contracting.

Conference - The 2006 Homeland & Global Security Summit April 11, 2006 & April 12, 2006 Washington Convention Center - Washington, D.C. Web: www.globalsecurity.bz/conferences/current_conferences/hgss/2006/index.asp

The nation's top priorities and the central themes of The 2006 Homeland & Global Security Summit include preventing another terrorist attack on the United States, detecting threats against the United States, preparing for and responding to future catastrophes and the U.S. Gulf Coast Reconstruction. ------For more information about events, news, and press releases please visit and bookmark HSIEC's News&Events page at our website: http://www.homelandsecurityiec.org/dojo/218/v.jsp?p=/news

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"Providing Guidance for Business Growth"

======The WEEKLY CONNECTION is distributed by the Illinois SBDC each Monday to the members of the DCEO Illinois Entrepreneurship Network to provide these service delivery partners with regular updates on small business issues, opportunities and resources. Please forward this update to any other interested resource providers and key stakeholders. ======