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The Appropriations Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives was created in 1867. The U.S. Constitution granted it the task of annually passing legislation, which determines how the federal budget will be spent. The Committee has 13 different subcommittees (Agriculture; Commerce, Justice, State; Defense; District of Columbia; Energy & Water; Foreign Operations; Homeland Security; Interior; Labor, HHS, Education; Legislative; Military Construction; Transportation and Treasury; and VA-HUD and Independent Agencies). In addition to these subcommittees, it is also responsible for funding emergencies including disasters and war. Each of these 13 sub-committees is responsible for drafting and passing one single bill -- a detailed appropriations bill relevant to their issues. The bill is based on 302(b) allocations, which determine the amount of money allocated to each subcommittee and its issues. The bill covers one fiscal year running from 1 October to 30 September. Drafting of the bill and selection of programs for the allocation of the 302(b) allocations occurs on very strict deadlines under strict procedures.
We help our clients:
- Identify funding opportunities through the annual appropriations bills process.
- Advocate for inclusion in programs that have been established by previous appropriations bills.
- Initiate funding for programs not requested in the Administration budget.
- Track and analyze the budget requests as they are submitted to the Appropriations subcommittees.
- Monitor the progress of submitted requests.
- Follow-up on how approved programs are implemented at the agency level.
Defense authorizations and appropriations represent a very large market for our technology and service clients. We work with large contractors, small businesses, and sub-contractors to identify priorities and set a strategic plan. We have assisted our clients with:
- Funding for research and development that will lead to new related technologies
- Procurement and integration of communications and information technology
- Procurement of military equipment, vehicles, and related supplies
- Military construction and security
The U.S. education system is undergoing dynamic change. Our mission is to identify, track, and in some cases create public policy initiatives at the federal, state, and local level that will assist our education clients. We assist our clients with:
- Appropriations and private funding for university business incubators
- Appropriations for university research and development programs
- Appropriations for distance learning and academic research communications
- Marketing literacy and math products at state education systems
As we look to the future, we will need to look at securing our current energy sources and developing alternative sources. We have a strong interested in research, development and new technologies relevant to the energy section. Our expertise includes:
- Security of our energy sources against disruptions and terrorist attacks
- Development and manufacturing of current energy sources
- Funding for alternative fuels and conservation programs
- Funding for environmental clean up
In 1994 Paul Stepanek Boardman established a telecommunications task force in Los Angeles to review “violence in the media.” This task force authored a seven point “Contract With Hollywood” plan that emphasized the need for a change in movie ratings that protected the public from violence in the media. This plan preceded the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) voluntary new movie ratings released in late 1995.
Current client interests focus on:
- Anti-piracy, copyright, intellectual property and licensing issues
- Technology issues relating to the entertainment industry
The U.S. government is the world's largest single purchaser of goods and services. Each year, it purchases over one-half trillion dollars in goods and services through 60 Federal agencies. We assist our clients in gaining access to this marketplace by guiding them through the complex procurement and awards process. Our goal is to help our clients and to assist the federal government with cost savings.
Strategic Planning -- The first step in procurement is to devise a strategic plan for with support and input from our clients' principals. This ensures that we have the highest probability of success and have a clear understanding of the measures, resources and tactics to be employed to meet the client's goals.
Identify Relationship Building -- We assist our clients in establishing contractual and alternative purchasing relationships. We provide agency level advocacy at the user level, as well at executive agency levels. We also make contacts at the Congress level providing for an alternative of legislative support.
Marketing -- We work with our clients' business development, sales, and marketing teams to identify and enhance their relationships within the federal government. We develop contact calling plans focusing on covering all the decision-makers (buyers, policy makers, and users). We assist with placing our clients on key schedules including the GSA schedule.
Identify Funding Opportunities & Procurement Schedules -- We identify department or agency funding sources and funding levels for key programs that correspond to our client's strategic goals. We assist clients with identification and placement on relevant federal procurement schedules and vehicles.
Niché Identification & Teaming Opportunities -- We assist with identifying the most likely placement for our clients' products. This includes identifying "in house" providers, as well as existing contractors and suppliers in the same or complementary "niché." We assist our clients in exploring possible teaming or sub-contracting opportunities.
Contract Formation -- We provide assistance with responding to Requests for Proposals (RFP's); supply contracts; service contracts; research and development contracts; construction contracts; ADPE procurements (information technology); and grants and cooperative agreements.
In 1995, Paul Stepanek Boardman established a healthcare public policy group in Los Angeles called the "“Disease Control Task Force.” Its purpose was to review federal legislation relating to medical research and healthcare practice. This task force issued specific recommendations regarding Food and Drug Administration reform, especially the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. It also reviewed healthcare funding issues.
We currently assist clients with:
- Food and drug research and development (pharmaceuticals, nutrition, organic foods, supplements)
- Healthcare research and development (especially medical devices and applications)
Homeland security became a major priority for the United States in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. As a result, the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created under the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Its mission is complex and focused on the entire U.S. society. DHS's first task has been to reorganize a vast national network of organizations and institutions involved in efforts to secure our nation. It has its own high-level strategic plan complete with a new vision, goals and objectives. We assist our clients understand the new DHS structure so that they can effectively secure contracting opportunities, market their innovative products, and receive funding for product research and development.
Homeland security is also a new priority for state and local governments. Since September 111, 2001, they have also been tasked with new responsibilities. Our mission is to develop relationships between these government structures and private businesses, universities, and the federal government that will assist in supporting the national homeland security objectives.
We assist our clients in the following fields:
- Border Security
- Counter-terrorism
- Data management
- Disaster Preparedness and Recovery
- Law Enforcement
- Technology Integration
- Transportation security
- Water and food safety
The federal government regulatory process is complex. We assist our clients with all aspects of rulemaking and compliance. Our expertise includes:
- Tracking and monitoring regulatory information sources
- Working closely with government officials in federal departments and independent agencies overseeing agriculture, commerce, education, energy, food and drug, health care, homeland security, telecommunications, transportation, and veterans' affairs
- Working closely with members of U.S. Congress and their staff to keep them updated on the technological advancements of our client's products and services
- Assistance with changing existing regulations
- Assistance in drafting supportive compliance directives, consensus guidelines and other innovative approaches
For the next several decades, every business sector in the U.S. economy will need to integrate new technology. Every product and all information systems will be redesigned and re-engineered.
The U.S. federal government currently appropriates $100 billion per year to programs overseen by the Departments of Agriculture; Commerce; Defense; Energy; Environmental Protection Agency; Health and Human Services (FDA, CDC, NIH); National Science Foundation; and National Air and Space Administration (NASA).
We have expertise in:
- Applied engineering research projects (transportation, construction, water resources)
- Computer science and information technology (see Technology - Information, Integration, and Modernization practice area)
- Energy R & D (fuel cells, desalination, wind, solar)
- Environmental R & D (food & water safety, environmental clean-up)
- Food & Drug R & D (pharmaceuticals, nutrition, organic foods, supplements)
- Health R & D (medical devices and applications)
- Nanotechnology
- University and private sector "business incubators"
We assist our clients:
- Identify federal competitive grants
- Secure federal funding from existing R & D programs and the appropriations process
- Inform U.S. Congress of new R & D developments
- Draft R & D policy and legislation
Small business faces unique challenges and our goal is help our client develop a strategic plan that will tap into the unique federal regulations and resources available to the small business within the federal government structure. This includes but is not limited to 8(a) business entities.
Small businessmen know their products and expertise. We assist them in making their innovative and cost-savings products and services known to allies in the administration, U.S. Congress, and state governments.
The sports industry continues to grow and serve as an economic engine for growth and development. Our services are of benefit to amateur athletes, youth groups, community-based sports organizations, coalitions of sports organizations, and organizing committees. Our mission is to provide funding for proper training, nutrition, coaching, and facilities development.
Our expertise includes:
- Bid preparation
- Facility analysis
- Funding assistance
- Market analysis
- Working with federal, state and community governments on regulations and zoning
State & Municipal Economic Development
We provide a wide range of services to state and local government clients, as well as private sector clients interested in participating in state and local economic development. Our goal is to reduce bureaucracy and inefficiencies that obstruct funding. We develop coalitions that provide innovative ideas and winning solutions.
We currently assist clients with:
- Agricultural Issues
- Community development (empowerment zones, tax-exempt status)
- Disaster Assistance (FEMA)
- Education Issues - Leadership, Employment and Training
- Environmental Clean-Up
- Healthcare
- Homeland security
- Law enforcement
- Pandemic Flu Preparedness
- Retirement benefits (Medicare, Social Security)
- Transportation
- Water Safety and Water Resources
Technology - Information, Integration & Modernization
The high technology sector is an important driver for the U.S. economy. For the next several decades, every business sector will need to integrate new technology. Every product and all information systems will be redesigned and re-engineered. Our goal is assist our clients secure public and private funding so that they can successful market their innovative and cost-savings technology products.
U.S. government is the world's largest single purchaser of goods and services and it is currently in a major drive to purchase new technologies. Under the President's E-Government initiative, the federal government is undergoing a comprehensive modernization that involves the integration of all aspects of information technology.
By definition, information technology (IT) compasses the development, installation, and implementation of computer hardware and software systems and applications. IT offers the government, university and the private sector the ability to improve efficiency, increase communications, and engender better customer relations.
In 2001, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Federal agencies identified 24 E-Government Initiatives. These are divided among four key portfolios: 1) Government to Citizen (GovBenefits; Recreation One-Stop; IRS Free File, E-Loans, and USA Services); 2) Government to Business (E-Rulemaking; Expanding Electronic Tax Products for Businesses, Federal Asset Sales, International Trade Process Streamlining, and Business Gateway Consolidated); 3) Government to Government (Geospatial One, Disaster Management, SAFECOM, E-Vital, and Grants.gov); 4) Internal Efficiency and Effectiveness (E-Training, Recruitment One-Stop, Enterprise HR Integration, E-Clearance, E-Payroll, E-Travel, Integrated Acquisition Environment, and E-Records Management). (Separate but related is a the E-Authentication Initiative whose mission is to provide secure and robust authentication services to the 24 Initiatives.)
In 2004, OMB began reviewing agency enterprise architecture date to identify areas of duplication and areas in need of new technology integration and modernization. In the spring of 2005, OMB launched its first new line of business - the Information Systems Security (ISS), responsible for identifying and managing information security risks. Other new lines of business have now been expanded to include: Case Management (CM); Financial Management (FM); Grants Management (GM); Human Resources Management (HR); Federal Health Architecture (FHA); Budget Formulation and Execution (BFE); Geospatial; and IT Infrastructure.
Within this context, technology is changing the way business is done in the public and private sectors. It is changing how people communicate. Our clients are large and small technology businesses interested in selling their products to the government, receiving research and development funding. They also see the need to inform public officials of their business need and interests so that these are represented when there is new legislation or regulatory issues formulated regarding their particular business sectors.
We work with companies in the following technology fields:
- Cyber-security
- Distance learning
- Document Imaging & Coding services
- Financial and Human Resources Services
- IT Training and Help Desk
- Network Management & Maintenance
- Process Automation Technology
- Program Management & Development
- Quality Assurance and Control
- Records Management
- Software Development
- Systems Integration
- Telecommunications
- Video-conferencing services
- Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
- Wireless Technology (WiFi)
