GSA’s leasing division to hold Industry Day on June 13th
May 15, 2012 by cs
On Wednesday, June 13, 2012, the General Service Administration’s Region 4 (GSA R4) Leasing Division will host an Industry Day at the Martin L. King, Jr Federal Building in Atlanta, GA. The purpose of this event is to inform and educate current and potential lessors of relevant policy, administrative changes and of the National Lease Reform effort as a whole.
In addition to networking with peers and GSA subject matter experts, attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in the following breakout sessions:
- Advanced Automated Acquisition Program (AAAP)
- Small Business Requirements & Opportunities
- Lessor Duties
- Property Management
- Green Leasing
As there is limited seating and conference room availability, and pre-registration is required in order to attend Industry Day.
The exact location of this event is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Building (1st Floor), Atlanta Conference Rooms 1 – 3, 77 Forsyth Street, Atlanta, GA 30303. Visitors must enter the meeting location at the Forsyth Street Entrance. Attendees/visitors must bring photo identification and provide that identification to the security guard before entering the Martin L. King, Jr Federal Building. Visitors may not to bring weapons of any kind to this Federal Building: Pocket knives, box cutters, fingernail files, glass containers, guns, etc. will be confiscated and donated to a charity.
To see the agenda, click here.
The Industry Day will be held from 7:30 am until 4:35 pm on June 13, 2012. Go to this website to register: http://gsa.gov/portal/content/132863.
150 free registrations to rail supply forum in Orlando May 8th
May 4, 2012 by cs
If you are a Georgia manufacturer, May 8 could be your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hundreds of millions of government dollars are coming available to help fund the building of future rail transportation. The Next Generation Rail Supply Chain Forum wants to develop 100% American-made supply chains for next generation rail cars.
Your company can check into being part of the action by attending this Forum during the Manufacturing Innovations 2012 convention in Orlando, Florida. The Forum will address rail industry product needs, and the requirements and considerations of manufacturers, both traditional rail and non-traditional.
Admission to the Forum is free for the first 150 to register — use the discount registration code RAIL. To access the one-on-one business meetings, you must provide your DUNS number. After these first 150, registration will cost $300.
The day-long event features a keynote address, discussion panels, one-on-one meetings with OEMs, and a networking reception. To date, the following OEMs/Tier Ones have confirmed attendance: Bombardier, ElectroMotive Diesel, Talgo, Knorr Brake Corp, and Wabtec. Other major manufacturers are expected to attend.
The rail supply chain needs you. Don’t miss out on this chance to discover how you can innovate, expand, and profit from an industry that is building the future of American rail transportation.
See this flyer for additional information on the Forum, or click here if you want to learn more about the full 5 day Manufacturing Innovation 2012 conference.
The Next Generation Rail Supply Chain Forum is a great value for companies interested in opportunities in the rail industry because you will have the opportunity to speak with contract purchasing agents across the industry.
Government marketing workshop offered May 16th
May 3, 2012 by cs
Here’s your chance to gain insights — from experts — about how to market to the government.
In partnership with American Express OPEN, the Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech is proud to offer a three-hour workshop entitled “Victory in Procurement: Marketing to the Federal Government.”
Designed for small business owners, this event will teach you how to effectively pitch your business to the government and provide:
- Insights into how to select which government agencies to target and how to get meetings with them,
- Tips and tactics for improving your elevator pitch and capabilities statement,
- Sample elevator pitches and capabilities statements,
- Advice from a panel of government buyers and successful small business owners,
- Interactive, roll-up-your-sleeves round-table exercises where you’ll hone your new-found skills.
The event will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Tech Square Research Building (TSRB), located at 85 Fifth St., NW, Atlanta, GA 30308. The workshop will take place from 9:00 am until 12 noon.
Pre-registration is required. Click here to pre-register. Due to space limitations, walk-ins on the day of the event will not be allowed.
A flyer describing this event can be downloaded by clicking here.
Veteran’s business training seminar and expo scheduled for June 11-14 in Reno
May 2, 2012 by cs
The National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC) will be hosting their second annual Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Seminar (VETS) June 11-14, 2012 in Reno, Nevada.
A combination of practical training sessions, an expo, and one-on-one business meetings, VETS 2012 is intended to create opportunities for future and currect Veteran business owners to make meaningful connections with potential mentors, partners, clients and each other.
Complete details may be found at: http://www.veterantrainingsymposium.com/
National HUBZone conference planned Sept. 5-7 in DC
May 1, 2012 by cs
The 2012 National HUBZone Conference will take place September 5-7 at the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel in Washington, DC.
Hundreds of HUBZone-certified small business owners, federal officials, prime contractor representatives, and others interested in the HUBZone Program are expected to attend the annual event.
Match-Making Sessions, one-on-one meetings between HUBZone contractors and almost 40 federal agencies and prime contractors, will take place Wednesday, September 5.
Educational sessions will take place September 6-7 and will include an update on the HUBZone Program and a variety of other topics impacting small business contracting.
For more information about the conference, including photos from the 2011 conference, visit the Conference website.
14 Tips for Attending a Government Expo or Trade Show
April 14, 2012 by cs
Federal, state and local government agencies frequently host trade shows or expos to publicize their contract opportunities and attract new vendors. Wonder whether you should attend a government-sponsored business expo? What should you expect if you go? How should you prepare? Are you disappointed in the last trade show you attended?
These are the kinds of questions often posed by clients of the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC). Fundamentally, businesses want to know how they can gain a competitive advantage by attending an event sponsored by a government agency. The answer lies as much in preparation and follow-up as it does in actual attendance.
GTPAC Counselors believe these kinds of events are what you make them. If you go to just listen, you may come away disappointed. If, on the other hand, you go to make something happen, you can come away with some good contacts,valuable insights, and solid business leads.
Here are a few tips …
- Establish some objectives for yourself – what do you hope to accomplish by attending? State this in concrete, quantifiable terms.
- Think about the specific kinds of opportunities you want to go after and be prepared to explain how you represent the solution to the government’s contracting objectives.
- Identify who is going to be in attendance and research in advance as much as you can about who will be there and those persons you want to meet. Think about why they are going to the show and what they want to accomplish there – align yourself with their objectives.
- Familiarize yourself with all details of the show so that you can envision how you are going to use the structure of the show to accomplish your objectives.
- Be prepared with marketing materials, including business cards, brochures and/or product/service fact sheets, product samples/portfolio, and a detailed capabilities statement. (Don’t have a capabilities statement? See our article on this subject here.) Tailor at least one of your handouts to the expo or show itself.
- Be prepared to talk about pricing. You may not need to, but be prepared just in case someone asks.
- Begin to envision how your competitors at the show can be potential partners as a result of the show.
- Develop and be prepared to deliver a 30-second “elevator speech” which explains in layman’s terms exactly what you are an expert at doing. Don’t be shy to explain what’s special about your company and why your products/services are the best. (If you need help constructing an elevator speech, see our article at http://gtpac.org/2010/07/whats-an-elevator-pitch-and-why-you-need-one.)
- Remember that buyers don’t have time to waste. Buyers want specific information, and buyers want to know what’s special about you (that’s your competitive advantage).
- Preparation is essential. It’s better not to go than to go unprepared – you never have a second chance to make a good first impression.
- Dress to impress. And wear comfortable shoes!
- At the show, listen to how your competitors are selling themselves and learn as much about their marketing as possible. Also learn from their mistakes.
- Understand that follow-up after the show is critical. Gather all the business cards you collected, write follow-up notes or emails – promptly. Set-up follow-up meetings/conference calls, if possible and appropriate. Send more marketing materials.
- Write yourself a report on lessons-learned. Review this report before planning to participate in another event.
Your GTPAC Counselor will be glad to elaborate on this topic and provide you with additional advice. You can find our contact information right here.
© 2010 Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center – All Rights Reserved.
Save the date: University System of Georgia procurement expo scheduled for Oct. 15
April 13, 2012 by cs
The University System of Georgia has announced the date and location for this year’s procurement expo.
The expo will be held on the campus of the University of Georgia on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012 from 11:30 am until 5:00 pm in the Tate Student Center, located at 45 Baxter Street, Athens, GA 30602.
The major purpose of this annual expo is to inform and encourage prospective vendors to do business with the University System of Georgia.
Once program and registration information is released, it will be posted here.
American Express takes nominations for 2012 procurement awards program until May 1
April 5, 2012 by cs
As a part of a small business initiative undertaken by Anerican Express, nominations are now open to spotlight small business achievements in three different categories.
The VIP awards are part of American Express OPEN’s Victory in Procurement™ (VIP) program. Launched in 2009, VIP is a national program that helps small business owners capitalize on the enormous growth opportunity provided through government contracts.
Nominations are now being accepted for:
- Government Contractor of the Year
- Woman Contractor of the Year
- Teaming Contractor of the Year
The Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) encourages its clients to submit self-nominations and would like to see a Georgia-based firm win this competition this year.
Nominations are due not later than May 1, 2012.
Information about this awards program, including details on last year’s award winners, appears at http://www.openforum.com/governmentcontracting/resources/awards.
You can download a copy of the 2012 VIP Awards Application here: 2012_VIP_Awards_Application_Form. Remember, you must submit your application by May 1, 2012 to VIPAwards@mbooth.com.
EPA holds small business conference Apr. 25th in Atlanta
April 2, 2012 by cs
The Region 4 Office of Small Business Programs for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding its annual Small Business Conference on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center Conference Center, Room B, 61 Forsyth Street. Atlanta, GA 30303.
This conference will provide an overview of federal contracting opportunities that are available for small businesses. You will have the ability to dialogue with contracting officers, prime contractors and small business resource providers.
Admission to the conference is free; however, pre-registration is required. Conference space is limited, so you are encouraged to register early.
Due to limited space, only two representatives from each company will be allowed to register. Registration will be discontinued after the maximum participation has been reached and no on-site registration will be permitted.
RSVP by e-mail no later than Monday, April 16, 2011. Please complete the registration form (Small Business Conference Invite_2012epa) and return via e-mail to hayes.charles@epa.gov.
Make sure your e-mail address is noted when you RSVP so a confirmation letter can be returned to your attention. Remember to bring your company’s capability statement.
For more information please contact: Charles Hayes, Small Business Program Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at (404) 562-8377 or hayes.charles@epa.gov.
Next vendor orientation to Cobb County Schools is May 3rd
April 1, 2012 by cs
The Procurement Services unit of the Cobb County School District will hold its next “How to Do Business” session on Thursday, May 3, 2012.
Vendors will have an opportunity to ask questions, meet CCSD Procurement personnel, and learn about the District’s purchasing processes. All interested vendors are welcome to attend.
To learn more about the school district’s buying needs in advance of attending the orientation session, vendors may conduct research on-line at http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/purchasing to decide if they want to get more information. (Under “Quick Links” on the web site, take a look at both awarded contracts and current solicitations to get a good idea of the school district’s annual buying needs.)
The school district’s vendor orientation sessions are Very informal and participant driven. Officials conduct a review of the purchasing process, outline the school district’s buying needs, and describe supplier shortfalls experienced by the district.
These informal sessions are conducted on the first Thursday of every month from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the CCSD Procurement Services Bid Room located at 6975 Cobb International Blvd., Kennesaw, GA 30152.
Should the schedule or location change for any reason, the information will be posted on the school district’s website at http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/purchasing. Please note that the District will be closed April 2-6, 2012 so there will be no vendor session in April.