SOUTHERN AUTOMOTIVE WHOLESALERS INC.
597 NORTH SAGINAW STREET
PONTIAC MI 48342-1468
TEL 248-335-5555 FAX 248-335-1564

February 23, 1999

U.S. Army Tacom
SBA - PCR Joseph Peck
Tacom
Warren, MI 48397-5000

I am writing to make you aware, and to ask for your assistance. Southern Automotive Wholesalers is a small business, primarily a defense contractor in Pontiac Michigan. We manufacture vehicular components such as starters, alternators and generators, etc. We have been in business for 19 years, serving as a government contractor in good standing, and as a local small business hiring veterans, disadvantaged workers from the Michigan Unemployment Agency and local residents of the City of Pontiac and surrounding areas. Southern Automotive contributes to the local economy by procuring parts and services locally whenever possible.

On February 18, 1999, we received a large report from Federal Prison Industries (FPI) a division of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The report states that they (FPI) want a federal mandate making FPI a mandatory source of supply for the parts that Southern Automotive Wholesalers and other government contractors currently bid on, and supply. The result would put us out of business, taking jobs out of the City of Pontiac and the State of Michigan. The information regarding the impact on Southern Automotive in the report is inaccurate. We believe FPI's action would place an undue burden of competition on small businesses like ours. It is wrong, unethical and would do more harm than good. Indeed, even if it created any new jobs for prisoners, making innocent hardworking people yet again the victims of another type of crime.

We ask for your assistance by taking action, contacting any agency, person, or group you may know of that can help on our behalf. We have limited time to respond, only until March 22, 1999. We understand that there are organizations currently fighting this issue in Washington.

Also, if you have any suggestions, questions or would like to follow up on this matter, please contact Denise Faust at 248-335-5555 X227.

Respectfully,

Thomas Tyson

President
Southern Automotive Wholesalers Inc.