Barrister Global Services Network Launches Government Sales Initiative.

Hammond-June 20, 2008- Founded in 1972, Barrister Global Services Network, Inc. is the nation’s largest and oldest woman owned IT services company.  Barrister provides multi-vendor IT services, delivering superior resolution to client/server hardware challenges. We serve customers in commercial and consumer markets through direct and indirect channels and manage over 15,000 certified technicians located throughout North America. We get the right technical skill and the right part to the right location at the right time for fast and predictable problem resolution to our customers' hardware challenges.

Barrister originally located in Buffalo, NY and then Harahan, LA, relocated to Hammond, LA after the wrath of Hurricane Katrina.  Barrister has obtained the SBA HUBZone certification for its Headquarters in Hammond, LA, as well as being aWBENC Certified Women Owned Business for over three years. 

Barrister currently performs a variety of IT outsourcing services, including equipment maintenance, installation/deployment, disposal/de-installation, helpdesk services, as well as contact center solutions.  These services are provided on a variety of billing schedules, including cost plus, firm fixed price, and hourly. 

As a woman-owned business and HUBZone business, Barrister recognizes that the utilization of these two set-aside groups is woefully insufficient.  Denise Farris, the Public Policy chair for the National Association of Women Business Owners, gives gravity to the failure of government and prime contracts ability to meet women-owned business set-asides in a recent testimonial given to Congress.  “In 2000, Congress passed Public Law 106-554 which recognized an under-utilization of women owned businesses by the Federal Government.  The 2000 law called for a 5% WBE goal to be achieved by federal agencies. Despite the enactment of this law in 2000, and a 2002 presidential initiative to implement the program, the government to date is struggling to achieve just fewer than 3% utilization.”

Senator Barbara Snowe, in a recent letter to the GAO, underlines the difficulty in meeting subcontracting goals for HUBZone businesses as well.  “I am deeply concerned about the underutilization of the HUBZone program,” said Senator Snowe. “According to the Federal Procurement Data System, just 1.94 percent of federal contracts are going to HUBZone small businesses. That’s far less than the 3 percent goal Congress has set. Clearly, the HUBZone program is not realizing its potential and could be more effective.”

Barrister is positioned to assist both the federal government and prime contractors in reaching both of these very important contracting goals.   Barrister has strong past performance in the government space, with 3 distinct and challenging subcontracting agreements today in the federal marketplace.  Barrister’s performance on these contracts has been exemplary, as exhibited by a continual year-over-year renewal of each contract. 

 Additional Information and Where to Find It.  

Those wishing more information may obtain information regarding the Company from Barrister's website at www.barrister.com, via email at sales@barrister.com, or by directing a request to: Barrister Global Services Network, Inc. 835 B Pride Avenue, Hammond, Louisiana 70401, Attn: CEO, (985) 365-0400.

CONTACT: Barrister Global Services Network, Inc.

John Bowers, Chief Executive Officer, 985-365-0400

SOURCE: Barrister Global Services Network, Inc.