WASHINGTON – Sen. Susan Collins, chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, has secured a commitment from the federal undersecretary for border and transportation security to take part in the first-ever State of Maine Homeland Security Conference this spring.

The conference, scheduled for May 14 and conceived of and organized by Collins, Gov. John Baldacci and the University of Maine, will assist Maine small businesses and first responders in learning about procurement opportunities and obtaining federal contracts and funding from the Department of Homeland Security. In addition to Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson, representatives from the Homeland Security Department’s small-business and grant-making offices are expected to make presentations.

The conference – geared toward small businesses, first responders, and state and local governments – is expected to feature four different seminar tracks for participants. The seminars will include:

. Small business and procurement.

. Small business-Department of Homeland Security supply chain management.

. First responders-transportation security.

. Research and development.