TAAF Process Map
Click any phase to expand • Follow in order • Don’t skip steps
1
Prepare
You • Before contacting anyone
Draft petition. Draft SOW. Build the gift. Get your house in order.
1–2 weeks
tap to expand
Phase 1 Details
- Confirm client is import-impacted (imports goods OR competes with imports)
- Identify NAICS code
- Draft TAAF Petition (you write, client signs)
- Draft Adjustment Proposal / SOW (full scope, 5 workstreams)
- Build Sovereign Capital Gift (findings with dollar amounts)
TAAF Petition
Adjustment Proposal
Sovereign Capital Gift
STOP: Don’t call TAAC until all 3 docs are ready.
2
Contact TAAC
You • One phone call
Call Great Lakes TAAC. Introduce yourself. Ask 7 questions. Get a name.
1 day
tap to expand
The 7 Questions
- What is the petition submission process?
- What documentation do you need with the petition?
- Typical timeline from petition to certification?
- Can I submit a draft Adjustment Proposal alongside?
- Preferred format for the Adjustment Proposal?
- Can the company name their preferred consultant?
- What is the cost-share structure?
GET: Contact name, title, email, direct phone. This is your person.
3
Client Submits Petition
Client signs • Client submits
Walk client through petition. They sign. They submit to TAAC. Confirm receipt within 48 hours.
1 week
tap to expand
Phase 3 Details
- Client reviews petition draft with you
- Client signs the petition (their signature, their company)
- Client submits to TAAC (per process from Phase 2)
- You follow up within 48 hours: “Did you receive it?”
DO NOT submit the Adjustment Proposal yet. Petition goes first. SOW comes AFTER certification.
4
Wait for Certification
TAAC investigates • You collect docs
TAAC verifies import impact. Meanwhile: collect client’s 14 documents. Run preliminary F.R.C.I.T.™
30–60 days
tap to expand
While Waiting
- Respond to any TAAC requests within 48 hours
- Collect: 3yr tax returns, financials, entry summaries, HTS codes, broker records, entity docs
- Run preliminary analysis on whatever data client provides
- Check in with TAAC every 2 weeks (brief, professional)
DO NOT bill. No invoices until Adjustment Proposal is approved and funded.
5
Present Adjustment Proposal
You present • TAAC reviews • EDA approves
Company certified. NOW present your draft SOW. TAAC reviews, modifies, submits to EDA for funding.
30–60 days
tap to expand
The 5 Workstreams in the SOW
- WS1: Tariff Classification & Mitigation (60 days)
- WS2: Retroactive Duty Recovery / PSC filing (90 days)
- WS3: Federal & State Incentive Capture (60 days)
- WS4: Entity Structure Optimization (45 days)
- WS5: Strategic Positioning & Resilience (12 months)
If TAAC tries to narrow scope, push back: “The import impact spans ALL five areas. Narrowing leaves money on the table for the company.”
6
Execute & Get Paid
You execute • TAAC reimburses
Funded. Deliver all 5 workstreams. Invoice TAAC. Build the case study. Compound.
6–12 months
tap to expand
Execution
- Execute all 5 workstreams per the approved Adjustment Proposal
- Submit invoices to TAAC with deliverable documentation
- TAAC reimburses your fees from approved funding
- Deliver monthly progress reports to client AND TAAC
- Document total recovery: margin points, dollars, programs captured
- Build the case study for the next client
VICTORY: Client recovered $X. Government paid your fee. Foundation received donation. Case study built. The machine compounds.
Total Timeline
Petition to first payment = 4–5 months. Not fast money. But $75K–$150K government-funded with a case study that sells the next 10.
All Regional TAACs — National Directory
Verify current contact info at taacenters.org — the official EDA portal
| Center | States | Phone |
|---|
| Midwestern TAAC ★ | MN, WI, IL, IN, MI, OH | (734) 998-6207 |
| New England TAAC | CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT | (413) 737-6596 |
| Mid-Atlantic TAAC | DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, PR, USVI | (804) 545-5806 |
| Southeastern TAAC | AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN | (404) 894-6111 |
| Southwestern TAAC | AR, LA, NM, OK, TX | (817) 272-5369 |
| Western TAAC | AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY | (310) 263-3060 |
| Northwest TAAC | AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY | (360) 754-5480 |
YOUR TAAC: Midwestern TAAC (University of Michigan) — covers Minnesota
EDA Direct: (202) 482-5671 — eda.gov/programs/trade-adjustment-assistance
Master Portal: taacenters.org — verify all contact details here before calling