MARCH 18, 2020
VOLUME 1
Message from the CEO

There is an old economic adage that states… When America sneezes, the world catches a cold. In the minority business community when America sneezes, minority businesses catch pneumonia.

These are historic and extraordinary times. CRMSDC’s Business Consortium (Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council, MBDA Business Center, Washington, DC and the Federal Procurement Center) stand ready to assist you. You are not alone.

With the daily inundation of information, the goal of the CRMSDC Business Consortium HotSheet is to compile pertinent information for busy minority business owners and our corporate members.

Sharon R. Pinder
Economic Impact

According to Maryland Senator Ben Cardin (Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee) – a recent poll of American small business owners found that 77 percent are concerned about the economic impact of the virus; half report that they have already experienced reduced customer demand; and 54 percent are anticipating a recession in the next 12 months—a 40 percent increase from January of this year. 

In Maryland alone, economists estimate that the public health measures we undertake to contain this virus will cost our economy $180 million every day.

WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU.

Let us know how this is impacting you and your business. We will be meeting with Senator Cardin and others. Send an email to [email protected] 

Emergent BioSolutions Collaborates for Coronavirus Vaccine
Emergent BioSolutions Inc. EBS announced that it has entered into a collaboration agreement with Novavax, Inc. NVAX to support the latter’s development of a vaccine candidate to protect against coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Per the terms of the agreement, Emergent BioSolutions will use its contract development and manufacturing (“CDMO”) services to advance Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate into clinical stage.
MBEs Meeting the Demands of Coronavirus
Deep cleaning contaminated Coronavirus surfaces takes a skilled team, resources and focused leadership. Bolana Enterprises provides Coronavirus COVID-19 deep cleaning and sanitizing service for casinos, retail businesses, churches, universities, schools, event venues, municipality and government facilities including libraries, office buildings, public spaces and more!

Valarie Dock, a former CRMSDC Supplier of the Year (2016) and Top 100 MBE Award Winner (2012 & 2019), is the president of Bolana Enterprises ( www.bolanainc.com), located in Beltsville, Maryland.
Use our newsletter to market.
What products/services have you provided during this pandemic? OR, do you have product/services you’d like us to share? Email [email protected] or call 301.593.5860.
HHS
News from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
As part of the government-wide effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in U.S. communities, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has updated a broad agency announcement (BAA) to focus specifically on products to diagnose, prevent or treat coronavirus infections.

Click the button below to see where you can submit proposals for medical products for novel coronavirus.
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is providing a portal for the U.S. government 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) medical countermeasures task force to provide a single point of entry for the submission of market research packages from interested stakeholders.
SBA
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy.
Stimulus Package 2020
On Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin requested Republican lawmakers to pass a $1 trillion stimulus plan that the White House hopes can flood the economy with cash and prevent a dramatic economic downturn.
We will update this information as bills are passed by Congress and signed by the President.
Learn How to Communicate with Customers and Employees during COVID-19 Crisis  
It is important to have a crisis communications strategy in place in the event of a crisis. Many of our MBEs and even some corporate stakeholders do not have a strategy in place.

Mid-State MSDC is conducting this important session. 
COVID-19 or Other Public Health Emergencies and the Fair Labor Standards Act Questions and Answers
Find the answers to questions such as:

  • What are an employer’s obligations to an employee who is under government-imposed quarantine?

  • May an employer encourage or require employees to telework (i.e., work from an alternative location such as home) as an infection control strategy?
Florida State MSDC presents
7(j) Management & Technical Assistance Training 
Has your business been impacted by coronavirus? Businesses must have a continuity plan in place to survive the virus and other disasters. During this webinar, you will learn about the resources and programs available to help your business during this global pandemic. Also, learn what steps you need to take in order to prepare your business and what the federal government is doing to help.

Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

Johns Hopkins experts in global public health, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness have been at the forefront of the international response to COVID-19. This website is a resource to help advance the understanding of the virus, inform...

Read more
coronavirus.jhu.edu
Johns Hopkins Interactive Map
Marriott furloughing tens of thousands of hotel workers...

Marriott International is readying to furlough tens of thousands of workers amid mass cancellations by would-be travelers due to the coronavirus outbreak. "As travel restrictions and social distancing efforts around the world become more...

Read more
www.cbsnews.com
The Business Consortium
is Open for Business!
CRMSDC
301.593.5860 | www.crmsdc.org
Sharon R. Pinder
President and CEO
Sonya Bigelow-Smith
Director, Business Development
Christine Bivens
Program Manager, MBE Services
Gina Dyson
Manager, Operations and Special Projects
Joan M. Hairston
Director, Corporate & Marketing Services
Errol Taylor
Director, MBE Services
MBDA Business Center
301.242.5320 | www.mbdadc.com
Dennis Smith
Project Director
Kenneth Clark
Business Consultant 
LaToya Moore
Program Analyst 
MBDA Federal Procurement Center
301.857.0200 | www.mbdafpc.com
Tommy Marks
Director 
Claudia Barrera
Project Analyst 
Kim Harwell
Business Consultant 
Owen Jackson
Business Consultant 
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