Defense and Homeland Security Goals-Online Directory

 

A. Major Goal: Improve the private business environment, thereby increasing revenue, profitability and high-paying jobs:

A6. Sub Goal: Create an on-line directory of Hampton Roads’ businesses in the federal contracting market, with general capabilities, contact information and instructions for employment applications.

Short Title: On-line Directory

Background and Objective of Goal:

Companies or individuals have no single source to identify companies that exist in our region, either for business opportunities or as potential employers. Employment candidates have limited sources to find companies in the Hampton Roads area. The idea behind this goal is to create an on-line directory of companies that identify company names addresses. It can provide general information about the work they do and skills they have as a company. This provides an insight to employment candidates as to the type of individuals they might be interested in. The database can identify how the company wants applicants to apply for employment with contact points. It can also provide contact points for business development purposes. The intent is to have relatively static content so the data maintenance requirements would be low, keeping the cost low.

Goal Leader:

Jack Greenhalgh

Supporting Participants:

Missy Blankenship, Jarrett Early, Kevin Brennan, Becky Weil-White, Martin Lenhardt, Mike "Yaz" Yaskowsky

Action Plan:

• Define initial content: Name, address, phone, website, how to apply for employment, human relations contact point, business development contact point, company capabilities
• Create on line database
• Populate data for small number of companies
• Evaluate functionality and adequacy of database
• Adjust data content
• Consider SDB, HUB, women owned, small biz qualification, other locations

The next meeting of the Sub-Goal Committee:

Status and Comments:

• 7/12/08
•  Research is being conducted on other on-line databases to evaluate resources available from other providers. We are evaluating the required uses and content for this directory. We are looking at alternative website development and hosting options, the costs and potential funding sources. 
• 5/12/08
• Initial format set up on DHSC website with two companies information as an example. Handed out input format at Full Meeting and requested companies to input their information.
• 4/15/08
  • Set up preliminary structure for the directory on HRTC website for trial purposes. Intent is to get a number of companies to enter their companies in the database, then use the Sub Goal Committee to evaluate the functionality and usability of this directory. Longer range, we would want to get a large number of companies entered and get their input on how it could be improved. After a year, we can evaluate if it proves sufficiently valuable to users to support its cost.
• 4/12/08
  • Discussed creating the directory with the Virginian Pilot. The cost of the capability, as envisioned by them, would be too high.