SBA has begun a series of online training sessions on federal contracting and other topics.

The seminars are open to 8(a) and HUBZone companies and to firms owned by low-income individuals. Dates for the remaining sessions are May 17, July 19, Aug. 16 and Sept. 13.

For details, go to www.sls-7j.net.

The American Small Business League says it will file its third lawsuit seeking to compel SBA to release information.

The League charges SBA is withholding information that would identify large companies posing as small ones to receive federal contracts. In response to a Freedom of Information Act request, SBA said it does not have the names of firms it reported as small businesses in 2004.

“I am confident the information we obtain will prove the SBA and the GSA have diverted billions in small business contracts to Fortune 1000 companies,” said ASBL President Lloyd Chapman. “It’s unacceptable that we have to go to court over and over just to get the most basic information from the SBA. Clearly they are trying to hide damaging information.”

During the past twelve months, the ASBL has won two Freedom of Information cases against SBA. The League says a federal court ordered the government to pay its legal fees totaling more than $54,000.

“These lawsuits are a waste of taxpayer dollars,” Chapman said.

Immigration reform, telecommunications reform, and advancing federal procurement opportunities are among the key issues at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative conference in Washington April 3-5.

The conference features an Immigration Summit, designed to offer a bipartisan review of the economic aspects and challenges presented by this highly complex and politically-charged issue. Members of Congress, immigration advocates and prominent business leaders will participate.

For details about the conference, go to www.ushcc.com.

Wells Fargo has agreed to acquire Commerce Funding Corp., a privately held factoring company based in Vienna, VA. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Established in 1987, Commerce Funding provides accounts receivable purchasing for contractors at all levels of government.

SBA is considering granting a waiver of the nonmanufacturer rule for Lenses, Ophthalmic, Manufacturing, NAICS code 339115. The agency says no small business is providing the product to the government. Comments are due March 29.

SBA is also considering waiving the nonmanufacturer rule for Ammonia (except fertilizer material) merchant wholesalers; Chemical gases merchant wholesalers; Chemicals (except agriculture); Compressed gases (except LP gas) merchant wholesalers; Dry ice merchant wholesalers; Gases, compressed and liquefied (except liquefied petroleum gas), merchant wholesaler; Ice, dry, merchant wholesalers; Industrial chemicals merchant wholesalers; Liquefied gases (except LP) merchant wholesalers; Organic chemicals merchant wholesalers; and Welding gases merchant wholesalers, NAICS codes 424690. Comments are due March 24.