Georgia Tech’s Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) helped Georgia companies secure more than $1 billion in government contracts in 2006, besting its previous record by more than $350 million. According to the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency which sponsors the center, that translates to 20,023 jobs created or saved in Georgia.
“Since this program was initiated by Congress in 1985, GTPAC’s clients have been awarded $3.9 billion in government contracts,” said Zack Osborne, GTPAC program director. “This program helps Georgia companies acquire some of the federal, state and local government projects to bolster jobs and secure more competition and better products for federal agencies.”
GTPAC – part of the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute – provides no-cost assistance with government procurement to any company licensed to do business in Georgia. Last year, GTPAC conducted seminars in Albany, Atlanta, Augusta, Carrollton, Columbus, Gainesville, Rockmart, Savannah and Warner Robins. The center assists companies with all aspects of federal, state and local government procurement processes, including solicitation analysis, proposal preparation, pre- and post-award counseling, and quality and accounting systems. Procurement counselors also analyze whether or not the company has the potential for government procurement.
Ten procurement counselors recorded some 7,000 initial and follow-up client assists in Georgia last year. While several of these companies are large firms, most are small businesses in accordance with standards established by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and include businesses owned by women, minorities and veterans.
One such company that sought GTPAC assistance was Carlyle’s Corporate Food Service, a locally-owned catering and contract food service company in Atlanta. GTPAC Counselor Jerry Shadinger helped the company put together a technical proposal, a cost proposal and a capabilities statement for government cafeteria services. The result was a five-year, $4.5 million contract.
“It is usually difficult for a locally-based food service provider to locate new business on its own and go up against national competitors,” noted Liz McGarey, Carlyle’s contract director. “GTPAC’s assistance has impacted Carlyle’s tremendously. We have secured two new accounts and are enthusiastically working on others. I would highly recommend GTPAC to everyone. They are both professional and informative in acquiring new business.”
Warner Robins-based LOUI Consulting Group, Inc., an engineering support services company and a member company in the Warner Robins facility of the Advanced Technology Development Center, also utilized GTPAC services to maximum benefit. After receiving procurement counseling and proposal review by Counselor Larry Selman, the certified 8(a)-owned business and certified Small Disadvantaged Business received its first government contract worth $3 million.
LOUI President and CEO Elias L. Rodriguez said he would “absolutely” recommend GTPAC to other companies. “The potential is there to make an impact on the business community, especially for entrepreneurs such as myself,” he said.
Companies are eligible for GTPAC assistance if they are based in Georgia, and have the potential to sell to the government, have e-mail or fax capability, and agree to complete a GTPAC client application, a quarterly report and an annual quality survey.
The previous best year ever was 2004, when GTPAC-assisted companies won $648 million in contracts.
