Mary Beth Schultheis (202) 720-4623
                                  mary_beth.schultheis@usda.gov
                                  Sharron Harris (202) 720-7117
                                        sharron.harris@usda.gov

USDA RECOGNIZES EXEMPLARY SMALL BUSINESSES

     WASHINGTON, May 24, 2000 - In celebration of National Small Business
Week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture this week recognized 22 small
businesses for their exemplary service to USDA.  The awards reflect ongoing
efforts to reach out to women and minority owned businesses, to help link them
to business opportunities across USDA.
     
     Wallace Contracting from Story, Ark., is USDA's 2000 Small Business
Contractor of the Year.  This woman-owned business has 19 years experience in
forestry type services.  They are in their third year of providing forestry
crews for the Forest Service at the Savannah River Institute, New Ellenton,
S.C.  The services provided include site preparation, thinning, and release
tree planting.

     Priority One Services, Inc., of Alexandria, Va., is USDA's 2000 Small
Disadvantaged Business Contractor of the Year.   Under contract with the Food
Safety and Inspection Service, this company was established in 1986 to provide
local and suburban transportation services.   Specializing in shuttle and
delivery services, Priority Once Services has consistently provided reliable
and timely service to assist USDA in moving its employees to meetings and
other important events.

     Jensen Meat Company, Inc., of Vista, Calif., is the USDA's 2000 Woman-
Owned Business Contractor of the Year.  The Agricultural Marketing Service
nominated this company for the award because of their performance in providing
ground beef products for use in the National School Lunch Program and other
federal food assistance programs.  In the past two years, Jensen Meats has
produced 5.4 million pounds of ground beef products at a value of $6.2
million. 
  
     USDA also recognized employees and offices that excel in their work with
the small business community.  Theresa Stephens, Agricultural Research
Service, was one of the winners of the USDA 2000 Special Achievement Award. 
The following employees of the Agricultural Marketing Service also received
this award: Mike Dinkel, Barbara Cope, Redeema Rock, Susan Proden, Richard
Lawson, Valerie Dinkel, and Dennis Pearson.  


     The following firms were recognized as small business winners by
individual agencies within USDA:

Advanced Systems Technology, Crofton, Md. - Foreign Agricultural Service for
software engineering services;
B & E Company, Blackshear, Ga. - Natural Resources and Conservation Service
for construction services;
Dynamic Computer Corporation, Livonia, Mich. - Food Safety and Inspection
Service as a  reseller of information technology hardware;
K & R Industries, Chantilly, Va. - Office of Inspector General for promotional
advertising;
McCall & Associates, San Antonia, Texas  - Agricultural Research Service for
architectural and engineering services;
Primera Foods Corporation, Cameron, Wis. - Agricultural Marketing Service for
dried egg products.

     The following firms were recognized as agency small disadvantaged
business winners:

All American Meats, Inc., Omaha, Neb. - Agricultural Marketing Service as a
ground beef manufacturer;
Futch Contracting Inc.,  Hahira, Ga. - Natural Resources and Conservation
Service for construction services;
Leon Snead and Company, Rockville, Md. - Food and Nutrition Service as a
certified public accountant;
Native American Systems, Leesburg, Va. - Office of Inspector General as a
reseller of telecommunications hardware;
Planned Systems, International, Inc., Columbia, Md. - Foreign Agricultural
Service for information technology;
Selmon Enterprises, Inc., Norman, Okla. - Agricultural Research Service for
construction services;
Wyandotte Network Communications, Wyandotte, Okla. - Farm Service Agency for
networking technology products and support services;
Zeffi Corporation, Alexandria, Va. - Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service for uniforms.

     The following firms were recognized as agency women-owned business
winners:

Carter's Contracting Services, Inc., Andalusia, Ala.- Natural Resources and
Conservation Service for construction services;
Creative Computing Solutions, Inc., Bethesda, Md. - Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service for customized software;
International Logic Systems, Inc., Fairfax, Va. - Food and Nutrition Service
as an 
ADP consultant;
MicroBase Computers, Great Falls, Va. - Food Safety and Inspection Service for
computer and networking equipment;


Sita Business Systems, Inc., Chantilly, Va. - Office of the Inspector General
and Agricultural Research Service for computer hardware and software.

     The following individuals and groups were recognized by their agencies
for excellence in their efforts to increase small business activity:

Carolyn C. Adams - Natural Resources Conservation Service
Agricultural Export Services Group - Foreign Agricultural Service
APHIS Business Services - Riverdale Washington Business Site
   Specialized Contracting Service Center - Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
Ramona Swann - Food Safety and Inspection Service

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