Awards Overview and Table of Contents Are you, or do you know of, a small business owner or advocate with an amazing success story to tell? If so, submit your nomination for the 2016 Guam SBA Small Business Awards. For more than 50 years, SBA has recognized the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses for contributions to their communities and to our nation’s economy. Awardees will be honored locally in April 2016, and some category awardees may go on to further recognition. Any individual or organization may submit a nomination for an award in one of thirteen categories by November 30, 2015: Small Business Person of the Year, Small Business Exporter of the Year, Family-Owned Small Business of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Financial Services Champion of the Year, Home-Based Business Champion of the Year, Minority Small Business Champion of the Year, Small Business Journalist of the Year, Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year, Women in Business Champion of the Year, Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery, Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Public Official, and Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Volunteer. The nomination, eligibility criteria, selection process, evaluation criteria and time frame for the various SBA Awards selected from nominated individuals or businesses are set forth in the following pages. The Agency reserves the right, in its sole reasonable discretion, to remove a nominee from the selection process. National Award Recognition: Small Business Person of the Year -One from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. Small Business Exporter of the Year Phoenix Awards for Disaster Recovery: -Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery -Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Public Official -Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Volunteer Local Award Recognition: Entrepreneur Awards Family-Owned Small Business of the Year Young Entrepreneur of the Year Champion Awards Financial Services Champion of the Year Home-Based Business Champion of the Year Minority Small Business Champion of the Year Small Business Journalist of the Year Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year Women In Business Champion of the Year
What information must the nomination package contain? Nominations must contain the information required below. Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered. All evaluation/selection criteria must be specifically addressed. 1. A completed background form (SBA Form 3300, Award Nominee Background Form) which is available through SBA branch offices and the online nominations portal. For “team” nominations, a background form is required for each team member; 2. A completed nomination form (SBA Form 3302, Small Business Exporter of the Year) which is available through SBA branch offices and the online nominations portal; 3. An original 8” x 10” or 5” x 7” photo of the nominee or a digital photo – at least 300 dpi is required; photocopies are not acceptable. For “team” nominations, a photo of each nominee or group photo is acceptable; 4. Additional supporting documentation deemed significant by the nominator, including news clips, letters of recommendation, nomination letter (if not self-nominated) and other evidence of the appropriateness of the nomination (supporting documentation must not exceed 10 pages). Videos will not be considered. What are the evaluation/selection criteria for the Exporter of the Year award? In evaluating the nomination packages for the Exporter of the Year award, the judges will use the following criteria: 1) Increased sales, profits and/or growth of employment because of exporting. 2) Creative overseas marketing strategies. 3) Effective solutions to export-related problems, including trade financing, payment, and currency issues; market-entry and logistical challenges; cultural differences, etc. 4) Demonstrated encouragement of other small businesses to export. 5) Volunteer assistance to other small businesses entering the export market. 6) Cooperation with other businesses in the creation of export trading companies and/or introduction of unique trading relationships, products or services. What are the selection procedures for this award? SBA will make Small Business Exporter of the Year awards to eligible small businesses at the District, Regional, and National levels. Winners at each level will be selected by a panel of judges that may be comprised of both SBA employees and non-Federal employees. The National Exporter of the Year will be selected by the SBA Administrator based on, but not restricted to, the recommendations of the panel of judges of federal employees. Non-federal employees serving as judges must sign a conflict of interest/non-disclosure certification.
Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year Award This award honors small businesses that have provided the government with outstanding goods and services as prime contractors. Who is eligible to be nominated for this award? All nominees must be defined as “small” according to applicable SBA size standards. Firms that have received this award at any level within the past three years are not eligible. For more information, contact the nearest Government Contracting Area Office. Who may submit nominations for this award? Only Federal agencies may nominate firms for the Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year Award. Each Federal agency may nominate only one firm for this award. Small businesses may request this nomination from their federal agency customer. Agencies are not required to support requests from small business. SBA employees may help to solicit nominations, but they cannot submit nominations on behalf of the nominee. Where are the nominations to be sent? Nominations must be submitted in one of two ways: 1) Nominations for the Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year Award must be submitted to the Government Contracting Area Office, Attn: Government Contracting Area Director, in which the nominated small business’ headquarters is located; or 2) Nominations may be submitted via the online nominations portal on . What is the deadline for nominations? All nominations submitted to the Government Contracting Area Office in which the nominated small business’ headquarters is located must be postmarked or hand delivered no later than 3:00pm ET, January 11, 2016. All nominations submitted through the online nominations portal must be uploaded and submitted no later than 3:00pm ET, January 11, 2016. What information must the nomination package contain? Nominations must contain the information required below. Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered. All evaluation/selection criteria must be specifically addressed. A complete nomination package must include: 1) A completed background form (SBA Form 3300, Award Nominee Background Form) which is available through SBA branch offices and the online nominations portal; 2) A completed nomination form (SBA Form 3306, Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year Award) which is available through SBA branch offices and the online nominations portal;
evidence of the appropriateness of the nomination (supporting documentation must not exceed 10 pages). Videos will not be considered. 4) A statement by the WBC Director that the Center is in compliance with the Notice of Award. 5) An original 8” x 10” or 5” x 7” photo of the nominated WBC’s Center Director or a digital photo – at least 300 dpi; photocopies are not acceptable. What are the evaluation/selection criteria for this award? In evaluating the nomination packages, the judges will look at the following criteria: 1) Smart, Bold and Accessible: The nomination should demonstrate how the WBCs is being Smart, Bold and Accessible in delivering services to clients. This should be included in the business profile, but should also be addressed in the nomination letter. 2) Innovates: Creates and develops innovative events and/or programs, publications, research materials and online applications to enhance small business awareness and solutions. 3) Champions: Advocates for women’s entrepreneurship and the overall small business community. 4) Develops: Partners with a variety of local, state and other entities (including SBDCs and SCORE) to grow the program through unique collaborations that not only bring in monetary matching funds but also help market the WBC. Recognized by the local SBA branch office as a champion for SBA products and services including effective amplification of the SBA mission and priorities and strong education efforts about the SBA and its programs to small businesses. 5) Collaborates: Recognized by the local SBA branch office as a champion for SBA products and services including effective amplification of the SBA mission and priorities and strong education efforts about the SBA and its programs to small businesses. Good Standing: Center must be in good standing with the SBA. This includes but is not limited to having no outstanding examination or review findings. What are the selection procedures for this award? The National Women’s Business Center for Excellence Award of the Year recipient will be selected by the SBA Administrator based on, but not restricted to, the recommendations of a panel of judges that may be comprised of both SBA employees and non-federal employees. The winner will be announced during National Small Business Week. Non-federal employees serving as judges must sign a conflict of interest/non-disclosure certification.