Latest news with #NAICS
Business Insider
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
MatchAwards Launches AI Platform to Connect Small Businesses with Federal Opportunities
Fayetteville, NC, July 10th, 2025, FinanceWire AI-Powered Platform Connects Businesses to Federal Opportunities Across Defense, Energy, Infrastructure, and Technology Sectors Following the passage of recent federal legislation allocating more than $150 billion in new spending across defense, energy, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and research sectors, MatchAwards announces the nationwide availability of its AI-powered business opportunity platform to help small businesses identify and pursue relevant contracts and grants. 'Federal legislation has allocated significant new funding across multiple sectors, with mandates requiring 23% of discretionary spending to go to small businesses,' said Clarence Briggs, CEO of MatchAwards. 'Our platform was designed to help businesses efficiently navigate these opportunities by using AI to match their capabilities with relevant contracts and grants in real-time.' Built on two decades of experience through its predecessor platform MatchAwards has connected North Carolina companies to billions in federal contracts. The platform uses advanced AI to automatically match companies with opportunities based on their NAICS codes, capabilities, and business profiles. The legislation includes funding allocations for: $100+ billion for defense industrial base initiatives, including shipbuilding, munitions production, and supply chain programs $26 billion for border security and Coast Guard infrastructure modernization $3+ billion for energy infrastructure projects Full deductibility for domestic research and development expenses 'Our platform serves as a comprehensive resource for businesses seeking federal opportunities,' explained Mike Nobel, COO of MatchAwards. 'Beyond opportunity matching, we facilitate B2B connections, suggest potential teaming partners, and provide award tracking capabilities. With over 80,000 active users, we're seeing increased collaboration and partnership formation among businesses pursuing these opportunities.' The platform offers several key features for businesses: 'Traditional methods of searching for government opportunities can be time-consuming and inefficient,' Briggs noted. 'Our AI technology streamlines this process, allowing businesses to focus on preparing competitive proposals rather than searching through multiple databases.' The platform's foundation includes 30 years of technology experience from parent company Advanced Internet Technologies, Inc., a veteran-founded technology company established in 1995. 'We've observed that successful contract winners are often those who identify opportunities early and form strategic partnerships,' Nobel added. 'Our platform facilitates both of these critical success factors.' About MatchAwards MatchAwards is an AI-powered business opportunity platform that connects companies with government contracts, grants, and business-to-business opportunities. Built on the foundation of which has facilitated billions in defense contracts for North Carolina businesses over 20 years, MatchAwards is now available nationwide. The platform is operated by Advanced Internet Technologies, Inc., a veteran-founded technology company.
Technical.ly
01-07-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Maryland started taxing tech services. Here's what you need to know.
Surag Patel started building a cybersecurity company in Baltimore in 2022. But a new tax starting today on technology services has him second-guessing the startup's headquarters. The founder of Pixee, Patel last May announced a $15 million investment to expand staff and open an office. He's concerned, though, about Maryland's new 3% 'tech tax' on IT, data and software publishing services. It could take up to two months of a full-time hire's job to figure out compliance, Patel believes, and might limit his company's growth. There are no specific plans or states in mind to move to as of now, per Patel. TEDCO, Maryland's investment vehicle and investor in the startup, requires Pixee to stay in the state for a certain period of time and hire a percentage of workers within its borders. TECH TAX FACTS How does the tax work? The law outlines certain codes in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to be taxed. That includes sectors 518 or 519, subsector 5415, and a system software or application software publishing services described under NAICS subsector 5132. The law cites the 2022 edition of the NAICS. It will continue to do so even when the NAICS gets updated in the coming years, unless legislatures change the law, per a Comptroller of Maryland official. When does the tax apply? If a company in Maryland sells to a buyer in the state. If an out-of-state seller with a physical presence in Maryland (like an employee installing cable or running a data center in the state, for example) is selling to a Maryland buyer. A seller with no ties to Maryland vending to an in-state buyer must collect the tax if, during the previous or current calendar year, the gross revenue of sales exceeds $100,000 or if over 200 individual sales take place in Maryland. Maryland sellers vending outside of the state do not need to charge the tax. Remittances to the government are required. Businesses need to file a sales and use tax return and remit payment of the tax collected on or before the 20th of the month following the end of the period when the sale takes place. Depending on the sale, the state may assign either a monthly or quarterly filing frequency. Vendors can get credit for remitting to the state on time, per a Comptroller official — 0.9% of the gross amount of tax remitted valued up to $500 per return. What's exempt from this tax? Sales of cloud computing to cybersecurity businesses Certain businesses in the University of Maryland Discovery District (the Governor's Office did not clarify why these companies are exempt) Governments, nonprofits and charitable organizations Software as a service, or SaaS, is already taxed at 6% when sold to an individual. But an enterprise system, previously not taxed, is now taxed at 3%. What is a Multiple Points of Use Certificate? This certificate applies if purchased services are also used outside the state. The Comptroller official gave an example to explain: Let's say a Maryland-headquartered company is buying software for staff across the globe. The buyer can file a certificate so the vendor doesn't collect the tax for the IT outside of the state. 'It's enough for us to think about,' Patel told 'Maybe the idea of building and doing everything in Maryland and Baltimore is not the idea.' The tax on certain tech services went into effect on July 1, thanks to Gov. Wes Moore's late May signature on the bill that accompanies the state's main budget. The tax is projected to bring in $482 million, per a committee report. Plans to purchase new accounting software, hire help Patel, cofounder of Pixee, isn't the only person scrambling to comply. Darren Clark, the Pennsylvania-based founder of Clark Computer Services and Clark Building Technologies in Frederick and Halethorpe, said he needs new financial software to handle processing two separate taxes because of this new law. His current plan cannot file multiple tax rates for one transaction, he said. He considered keeping the same financial software and having employees file two separate invoices manually. But he quickly learned that it'll take up half a workday for someone to keep track of and file everything. Clark estimates prices for this platform will spike. His current plan costs $500 a month, and his research suggests this new plan will be at least $6,000, he said. Finding the right software, training employees and migrating data all also takes time. Clark anticipates it'll take him six months to get everything organized and running. All of this will cause his costs to go up, he said. That means fewer raises and bonuses for his staff of 40, who mostly live in Maryland. '[The government is] worried about collecting every penny they can from us so they could pay for their budget deficit,' Clark told 'They're solving this problem by making it harder for all their constituents.' Confusion as to what's taxed, how processes will work Because he's pivoting operations to comply, Clark wants a six-month grace period enacted so he and others can be more prepared. Mistakes may be made on his part because there's so much to learn and adjust. Relying on NAICS to pinpoint what's taxed also confuses Clark. He said he's 85% sure of what's taxed and what's not, because the codes are so broad. 'Six months would allow me time to get my act together so that we don't make those mistakes, or, better yet, get into a system that automates everything so I don't have to worry about it at all,' he said. Kelly Schulz, the CEO of the trade association Maryland Tech Council, noted that several members she works with lack clarity on how the tax works. 'There's still a general layer of some confusion as to how to go through the implementation,' Schulz, Maryland's former Secretary of Commerce and Labor, told This law is in the state's Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act, which was passed alongside the main budget package, she explained. Individual items in this legislation do not have hearings, which Schulz believes contributes to the confusion. There was some conversation about the tax during a committee hearing, but lawmakers didn't get into specifics, she said. The tax also came with emergency regulations, filed by the Comptroller, so companies can immediately comply. This left no time for public comment after the legislative session, she said. Schulz believes the funds from this tax are part of the revenue that the government is counting on for the fiscal year starting today, July 1. Essentially, it's been enacted so soon so the budget gets balanced, she said. The Governor's Office did not confirm this reasoning. The Comptroller of Maryland reached out to Schulz to invite tech companies to answer questions, which she appreciated. 'I think that they realize that this may be hard,' Schulz said, 'and they want to be able to be supportive of the industries.' Tech companies brace for less growth and higher costs Clark's businesses have been growing 34% on average for the last 10 years per year. This is the first year he's planning without growth, and he blames the tax and the government. He's in the process of a cost reduction exercise to make sure he stays afloat. 'I feel like our politicians have let all of us down,' he said. 'Both sides really are taking advantage of us, and they're really after their own agenda — not for us.' Clark is concerned about other ramifications, including getting outbid by tech companies outside of Maryland. He cited the provision where out-of-state companies only have to tax the services when the gross revenue of sales exceeds $100,000 or if there are more than 200 individual sales in Maryland. Firms could do one job in Maryland per year, which would skirt the tax, he said. Founders are also bracing for higher costs of the tech they purchase. Todd Marks, the founder of the software company Mindgrub, is building a new headquarters in Baltimore's Pigtown neighborhood. That's an expensive endeavor that involves purchasing a ton of tech, including cabling and software. 'This tax is just a punch in the face when you're already down,' Marks told He noted this tax will be felt outside the tech sector. For example, he needs to purchase point-of-service systems for Mindpub, his restaurant near Mindgrub's offices on Fort Ave. Tax could cause business departures Marks also sits on the IT advisory board for the Comptroller of Maryland, but hasn't been active after the first couple of meetings, he said. Even with that connection to the agency enacting this tax, he, along with Pixee's Patel, is considering moving Mindgrub out of the state because of the tax. He's looking at Wyoming, Tennessee, Florida and Texas as options. Tech companies are nimble, he said, and can easily move to a different state because customer bases and supply chains are mostly digital. He's betting Maryland will lose businesses. 'We tax everything six ways to Sunday,' Marks said. Clark, founder of Clark Computer Services and Clark Building Technologies, is not going to leave Maryland because all of his customers live here anyway. He would still need to charge the tax because of that. 'There's really no maneuvering,' Clark said. 'I've spent plenty of time trying to figure out how to get out of it. The only way I can get out of it is to commit tax fraud, which I'm not going to do.' This isn't 'the end of the world' for businesses, per Maryland Tech Council's Schulz, but it will be harder to be a business owner. Maryland still has qualities that make it an attractive place to headquarter a business, including proximity to the federal government. 'I certainly don't think something like this has helped the industry want to really grow and expand here,' Schulz said. 'I'm hoping that it's maybe it's temporary, because I think we have so many resources and assets for them without this being a barrier.'
Economic Times
28-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Canada hikes wage thresholds for Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Agencies Canada has increased the wage thresholds for employers hiring under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), a move that will impact new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications submitted from June 27, 2025, as per a CIC News report. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) confirmed the revision affects nearly all provinces and territories, altering how foreign nationals qualify under either the high-wage or low-wage streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is used by employers when no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to fill a job. The program's classification between high-wage and low-wage streams is determined by comparing offered wages against the median hourly wage of the province or territory. Wage thresholds revised across provinces The updated wage benchmarks will directly influence employer eligibility for LMIAs. For example, the threshold in Ontario rose from CAD 34.07 to CAD 36.00, while British Columbia saw an increase from CAD 34.62 to CAD 36.60. The threshold in Nunavut remained unchanged at CAD 42.00. Provinces such as Quebec, Alberta, and Nova Scotia also recorded moderate must apply under the high-wage stream if they offer wages at or above the new thresholds. Otherwise, they must proceed under the low-wage stream, which faces additional limitations. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) reiterated that a moratorium remains in effect for LMIA applications under the low-wage stream in areas with unemployment rates at or above 6%. This policy, active since September 26, 2024, will continue until at least July 10, federal government has also restricted low-wage LMIA approvals based on the structure of an employer's workforce. Generally, low-wage positions must not exceed 10% of the total workforce at a given location. However, specific industries like construction (NAICS 23), food manufacturing (NAICS 311), hospitals (NAICS 622), and nursing care facilities (NAICS 623) are permitted a 20% cap. Moreover, ESDC confirmed that similar restrictions now apply to select caregiving roles under the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. This includes roles such as registered nurses (NOC 31301) and home childcare providers (NOC 44100). 'ESDC and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are reviewing the effects of including these in future measures,' the statement added. Policy changes reflect government's broader reforms The changes come amid increased scrutiny over the TFWP in 2024, when reports surfaced alleging worker exploitation and wage suppression. The federal government has since implemented several reforms: shortening LMIA validity to six months, cutting employment durations under the low-wage stream, capping new foreign worker admissions, and eliminating in-country job-supported work permit options for updates reflect a broader policy shift aiming to balance the country's labour market needs with concerns about temporary resident volumes and pressure on public services. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. The bike taxi dreams of Rapido, Uber, and Ola just got a jolt. But they're winning public favour Second only to L&T, but controversies may weaken this infra powerhouse's growth story Punit Goenka reloads Zee with Bullet and OTT focus. Can he beat mighty rivals? 3 critical hurdles in India's quest for rare earth independence HDB Financial may be cheaper than Bajaj Fin, but what about returns? Why Sebi must give up veto power over market infra institutions These large- and mid-cap stocks can give more than 23% return in 1 year, according to analysts Are short-term headwinds from China an opportunity? 8 auto stocks: Time to be contrarian? Buy, Sell or Hold: Motilal Oswal initiates coverage on Supreme Industries; UBS initiates coverage on PNB Housing
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Small Carriers Should Be Watching Government Freight Right Now
Government freight isn't the secret shortcut social media makes it out to be—but for small fleets that are tired of chasing the spot market and ready to build something more stable, it's a lane worth learning. Over the past year, more owner-operators and small-carriers have started asking how to bid on government loads, especially as contract freight keeps shrinking and spot rates stay unpredictable. The truth is, government contracting—or GovCon, as it's often called—isn't a fast track. It's a structured lane with strict rules, longer payout cycles, and big paperwork. But for those who understand the game, it can also mean steady lanes, longer contracts, and consistent recently broke this all down in a deep-dive session inside the Playbook Masterclass—but here's what every small carrier needs to understand right now, whether you watched it live or not. Let's start with what's real. There's more freight out there than just what you're seeing on DAT and Truckstop. From local school districts needing weekly milk deliveries to FEMA emergency contracts that need box trucks on standby, the government buys more transportation than any private shipper in the here's what most carriers don't realize: a large portion of that freight is set aside specifically for small businesses. If you're a carrier with: Fewer than 500 employees Less than $30 million in annual revenue Proper authority and registration …you qualify to bid on many of these jobs. Some contracts are even reserved exclusively for small carriers or companies with certifications like Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned, or Minority-Owned. But qualification doesn't mean readiness. Melanie Patterson, founder of Team Integrity Knowledge Center, a firm that assists small business owners with navigating the complexities of getting established as a government contractor said it best; 'Too many small carriers think GovCon is out of reach. The government buys everything—and they're required to buy from small businesses first. If you're set up right, you've already got a shot.' Let's be honest up front—GovCon is not for everybody. There are serious downsides that you need to be ready for: This isn't the world of quick pays and factoring. Expect Net 30, 45, or even 60 on some federal contracts. That means you'll need to float fuel, driver wages, insurance, and maintenance before that first check lands. If you're already tight on cash flow, this can bury set up in (the federal contractor registration system) isn't a simple sign-up form. You'll need your business structure in order, tax info, NAICS codes, and a banking setup ready to go. And even when you're registered, just being in doesn't get you work. You still have to find the bids, respond with a clean package, and compete on pricing and capability. Government customers use systems like WAWF (Wide Area Workflow) or IPP for invoicing. You can't just fire off a QuickBooks invoice. If your admin team—or your cousin managing the books—can't handle this, you're going to have serious delays. Despite all the red tape, government freight can be a game-changer for the right carrier with the right setup. Take this scenario: You're running one or two reefers. You've got a dependable driver. You know your cost per mile and have some admin support. Now picture this: A local USDA contract opens up to deliver temperature-controlled goods 3x per week to three counties. Total value? $180,000 over 10 months. No brokers. No bidding war. Just a clean response, a capability statement, and a pricing sheet. This happens more often than you think. But the carriers that win are the ones who are organized, registered, and pay attention to what's posted. You don't have to go all-in on federal contracts right away. Here are three ways small fleets are entering the GovCon space without overextending: Instead of going after the award yourself, link up with a prime contractor who already has it. They need reliable carriers to execute the work—and they handle the invoicing and compliance. You focus on delivering freight and building a relationship. Local governments—school boards, counties, state agencies—also need transport. These jobs often pay faster and come with less complexity. Some can be found on your state's procurement site, others are listed right on under 'State/Local'. Every week, the government posts small, low-dollar, short-term contracts for basic freight. These jobs are a great way to get your feet wet, understand the paperwork, and start building past performance—without locking into something huge. We've seen too many businesses win a government contract and lose money because they didn't calculate real costs. Here's a basic formula you need to know before quoting anything: Start with your cost per mile. Add admin time and billing complexity. Include buffers for fuel and unexpected accessorials. Factor in time delay on payments. If you quote like you're on a load board, you're going to sink. GovCon freight pays well—but only if you submit a complete, realistic rate that covers your full operation. As Melanie shared in Masterclass: 'You don't win contracts by bidding the lowest. You win them by bidding clean, fair, and clearly.' If you want to explore this lane, there are four things you need to get in order first: – Get your Unique Entity ID (UEI), DUNS no longer used. Free to register. – A 1-page resume for your business. Lists your equipment, service area, and past performance. – Build a template that calculates your breakeven per load and gives you a buffer. – Keep your COI, DOT/MC info, safety rating, driver roster, and endorsements in one place. Optional (but powerful): Certifications like WOSB, MBE, DBE, or 8(a) can put you in front of set-aside contracts you won't see otherwise. The freight market is full of noise right now. Everyone's chasing the next hot load or hoping rates bounce back. But the carriers that will survive and scale in 2025 are the ones building systems and securing freight they can count on. Government work isn't for everyone—but for those who want out of the chaos and into something consistent, this is a lane worth learning. And no—you don't need a $2 million fleet or a full compliance department. You just need: A clean setup A smart plan A willingness to execute This isn't a shortcut. It's a shift in strategy. But for those ready to shift, there's real opportunity here. If you want more help with the setup, the bidding, or understanding how to structure your backend to support this freight—our Masterclass covered all of that. You can catch the replay in the portal. But even if you never watch it, now you know what's possible. And for a small carrier, that knowledge could be your edge. The post Why Small Carriers Should Be Watching Government Freight Right Now appeared first on FreightWaves. Connectez-vous pour accéder à votre portefeuille
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas DOGE bill passes Senate to streamline state regulations
Texas has passed a bill that would create an efficiency office much like the federal government's Department of Government Efficiency started by President Donald Trump. Texas SB14 establishes the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office and, if passed into law, will attempt to streamline state regulations, reduce unnecessary rules and promises to make massive reductions to the size of the state's government. "I prioritized SB 14 because President Trump's creation of the 'Department of Government Efficiency' inspired me to find ways Texas can save taxpayers and businesses money by cutting burdensome regulations. The Texas Miracle will continue long into the 21st century because our common-sense, conservative approach to regulation will keep Texans prosperous and our economy strong," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in a statement Wednesday. A regulatory efficiency advisory panel will also be established that will advise the governor's office and the Efficiency Office. That panel will be composed of members representing regulated businesses, the public, occupational license holders, higher education and state agencies. This bill outlines that it will also increase the public's access to regulatory information by establishing an interactive website for people to search for state agency rules and information by topic, activity or NAICS code. Doge Says Texas Nonprofit With Former Biden Transition Member Reaped Millions Operating Empty Facility Read On The Fox News App To keep things transparent, the bill would require that the Efficiency Office must submit a biennial report to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board, detailing its activities, findings, and recommendations. Patrick says this bill was necessary for the people of Texas and will put money back in taxpayers' pockets. 'America Has Doge Fever': States From Nj To Tx Draft Similar Initiatives As Federal Leaders Celebrate "The Texas economy is the envy of America and the world. Texans understand that by cutting red tape, more money stays in the pockets of taxpayers. When Texans save money, the private sector is unleashed, Texans start small businesses, jobs are created and our economy grows," Patrick said. The bill is now on its way to the House committee before it can be voted on by the Texas House of article source: Texas DOGE bill passes Senate to streamline state regulations
