Register For Counseling

Statement of Understanding

The Washington, DC Small Business Development Center (DCSBDC) provides counseling, management education, and technical assistance to Washington, DC businesses and would-be entrepreneurs. The DCSBDC counseling approach is one of guidance and education, not of doing the work for the startup or existing small business client. The services are not intended to compete with, replace, or be a substitute for services, that are available from the private sector on an ongoing or long-term basis.

DCSBDC's goal is to have an open professional relationship between the counselor and the client. As a new client of the DCSBDC, we want to advise you of your rights and responsibilities.

• Expect that all communications and information will be kept confidential
• Expect courteous and professional service
• Be advised if the DCSBDC is unable to provide services within the time frame required or on the subject matter requested
• Know the name and DCSBDC contact information of the counselor assisting you
• Receive one-to-one confidential counseling at no charge
• Express your opinion as to the quality of assistance you received and receive a response that addresses your concerns;

• Talk openly and honestly and, directly with your counselor and provide all information necessary to provide proper assistance
• Make available, upon request, company data (financial, operational, etc.)
• Write your business plan or proposal responses to the best of your ability
• Ask questions and notify your counselor if you do not understand the proposed plan of action
• Advise us of any concern or dissatisfaction you may have with the assistance being provided
• Cooperate with your counselor and consider the recommendations your counselor makes
• Complete assignments before requesting follow-up meetings or that support the next follow-up meeting
• Promptly notify your counselor (at least 24 hours preferred) should you need to cancel or change your upcoming counseling session

DCSBDC is NOT a lending agency. Based on your input, we can assist you with running, analyzing and critiquing cash flow projections for accessing capital. This type of assistance DOES NOT imply an endorsement of your plan or proposal by the DCSBDC, nor does it indicate intent to approve your loan request by any lending institution or guaranty institution, public or private. We will provide advice on techniques and sources of information needed for a financial proposal. However, it is your responsibility to collect the needed information.

A business plan is an essential tool for every business. DCSBDC counselors DO NOT write business plans nor write responses to proposals.Counselors will review and make recommendations to your business plan or proposal.Please allow sufficient time for your counselor to perform these activities as your counselor may be assisting other clients.

Your DCSBDC counselor or counselors may not be engaged by you or your firm to performed paid or compensated work outside the scope of the no cost services provided by the DCSBDC during your tenure with the DCSBDC as a client.Similarly, your DCSBDC may not receive gifts from you or your firm as compensation for the no cost services the DCSBDC counselor(s) may provide to you or your firm.

The DCSBDC is not the U.S. Small Business Administration (US SBA).The DCSBDC is partially grant funded through the US SBA and is recognized as a resource partner of the US SBA like SCORE or Women's Business Centers.

We acknowledge that clients may, from time to time, divulge confidential and proprietary information during the counseling relationship. Unless otherwise expressly authorized by the client by filling out and signing DCSBDC Authorization to Release Information, we will not disclose to any person or entity the identity of any client to whom we have rendered services, or any confidential or proprietary information obtained from the client and identified as such by the client. Your DCSBDC counselor signs a confidentiality and conflict of interest forms each calendar year.

Please note the DCSBDC program is a partnership program and collaboration is necessary between funding partners. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Howard University provide funds for the DCSBDC program. Limited information with respect to your client status (name, address, nature/scope of service, and amount of service) may be provided (with your permission) to those public agencies which fund the DCSBDC or are responsible for auditing the financial and program performance of the DCSBDC.

All patents, patent applications, trade secrets, processes, formulas and, other proprietary information arising out of or resulting from the services provided to a client by the DCSBDC pursuant to this request shall be and remain the property of the client. DCSBDC shall make no claim against a client asserting any interest in such property.

You will be asked to cooperate with DCSBDC in its ongoing efforts to assure the quality and effectiveness of the counseling services which it provides. In this respect, the DCSBDC will ask all clients who receive counseling assistance to complete periodic written surveys and evaluations of the services provided or DCSBDC events attended. Clients may receive direct inquiries from the SBA and other public-sector agencies regarding the services provided by the DCSBDC.Your response to these inquiries is strongly encouraged and greatly appreciated.

Since a portion of the DCSBDC program funding is provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration, we are required to obtain a signed copy of a Request for Counseling, SBA Form 641, from all DCSBDC clients before providing assistance. The Form 641 or its equivalent Center IC eRFC form will be signed as part of the registration process prior to or in conjunction with your first counseling session.Please note the disclaimer at the bottom of the form related to DCSBDC services.

We WELCOME you as a client and encourage you to call us if you have any questions or comments regarding your rights and responsibilities with respect to our services. You can do so by calling the DCSBDC Executive Director at 202-806-1550.