Resources for small businesses seeking government contracts
By Barb Ernster
Newcomers should consider looking at Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC), located in every state and U.S. territory. To find one near you, go to www.dla.mil/db/procurem.htm. The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) hosts an annual Procurement Conference to foster business partnerships between the federal government, its prime contractors, and small, minority, service-disabled, veteran-owned, HUBZone and women-owned businesses.
Small businesses that don’t have the resources to market themselves can access the Department of Homeland Security Mentor-Protégé Program, which assists small businesses to successfully compete for prime contract and subcontract awards by partnering with large companies under individual, project-based agreements. Requirements for mentor and protégé businesses can be found at www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/mentor_protege.
The Small Business Administration’s 8a program helps qualified small businesses get government contracts without competition. The 8a status doesn’t last forever, but it helps a new business get up and running. Small business resources are listed at www.DHS.gov/openforbusiness, as well as www.sba.gov and other federal agencies