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Q. |
I'm not sure I want
to apply for assistance. Is this information going to be shared
with the Internal Revenue Service or other government agencies? |
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A. |
None of the information you provide is disclosed to any other
federal, state, or local agency. All proprietary and financial
information is not disclosed and is exempt from the Freedom of
Information Act. When a firm is certified, law requires that the
firm name be published in the Federal Register. It is the only
information that is released to the public.
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Q. |
Do I have to pay the
Southwest TAAC? How much? What are you going to do for me? |
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A. |
Assistance to prepare the initial
application is provided free of charge;however, we do charge for our services after the application process. The
Southwest TAAC charges $63/hour for services, but you are only
billed for 25% of that amount. At the first scheduled
appointment, you will be presented with a Cost Share Agreement
(CSA) that estimates the number of hours and the total cost to
be paid by you. All work performed during these phases will lead
to the final consulting projects.
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Q. |
What is the
Diagnostic Analysis/Adjustment Plan? |
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A. |
The diagnostic analysis is a document prepared by the Southwest TAAC
staff which reviews all the firm's functional areas and describes the
strengths and weaknesses in each. The document will also provide standard
business ratio analyses and provide a description of the competition
within your industry. Suggestions for improvements in the firm's
operations and specific consulting projects detailed in the diagnostic
analysis will be the basis for the adjustment plan. The adjustment plan is
a synopsis of the diagnostic analysis written for the benefit of the TAA
staff in Washington, DC to reach a decision on the acceptability of the
firm's request for assistance. It will include a list of specific
consulting projects to be undertaken by the firm, an estimate of the cost
of the project(s), and the amount to be cost-shared by the firm and the
Southwest TAAC.
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Q. |
How much money can I
get from the Southwest TAAC? |
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A. |
There is no exchange of money from the Southwest TAAC to your company.
A firm can receive a maximum of $150,000 for approved projects at a 50%
cost share for the firm and the Southwest TAAC. The funds will be used to
subsidize approved projects.
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Q. |
How do I find the
consultants? Who picks the consultants? What happens if I don't
like the consultant? |
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A. |
The list of consultants will come from you if have any
recommendations and from the Southwest TAAC. The firm and the
Southwest TAAC must concur with the selection of the consultant.
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Q. |
How does the
consultant get paid? Do we pay first and get reimbursed? |
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A. |
Before the Southwest TAAC pays its share, the consultant must verify that he/she has received
payment from the firm. The firm may pay its entire share first and the
Southwest TAAC will pay all remaining invoices. Also, each invoice may be
paid by the firm and the Southwest TAAC at the appropriate cost shares.
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Q. |
Can I buy equipment? |
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A. |
No. The funds cannot be used for any capital expenditure.
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Q. |
Can I use the funds
to attend trade shows? |
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A. |
No; however, the funds can be used to develop a new trade show
display.
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Q. |
Can I use the funds
for more than one thing? |
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A. |
Generally, the adjustment plan will specify several projects to be
implemented by the firm. It is not necessary, however, to request more
than one project. There are three things that cannot be funded by the
Southwest TAAC: 1) loans or loan guarantees, 2) capital equipment
purchases, and 3) modifications to existing equipment.
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