SUBCONTRACTING FORUM AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization will hold its First Federal Subcontracting Forum on May 7, 1997, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The meeting will be held in Room 107A of the Jamie L. Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250. Attendance at the meeting is open to all large business concerns. The purpose of the meeting is three-fold: (1) to keep large businesses informed of current federal procurement policy as it relates to subcontracting, and clearly identify the statutory requirements that large contractors must adhere to for compliance to federal regulations; (2) to introduce specific efforts underway at USDA to improve subcontracting and ensure subcontracting compliance; and (3) to allow large business represenatives to discuss their subcontracting issues/concerns in an effort to enhance the USDA Subcontracting Program. Presentation topics will include the Impact of the Adarand Decision and the Department of Justices' Proposal on the Federal Subcontracting Program; Subcontracting with Firms in the 8(a) Program; the USDA Subcontracting Program; and the Future of Federal Subcontracting. Robert Taylor, Manager of the Federal Subcontracting Program at the Small Business Administration for Procurement Policy at the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), are among the guest speakers. Legal Counsel and a team of procurement executives from USDA, SBA, and OFPP will be available to answer questions. Confidential and proprietary information will not be discussd at the meeting. Seating at the forum is limited, and reservations are required. Reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis, and must be made by April 23, 1997 (fax or e-mail only). Fax: 202-720-3001; e-mail; giavanna.pullen@usda.gov.

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