It’s not every year that Leap Year comes around, and this Feb. 29th proved to be extra special for 80 Georgia businesses.
On Feb. 29, 2012, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted a Vendor Outreach Session in Atlanta to highlight what its purchasing needs are this year in the southeast region. DHS worked with the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) in advance of the event to match-up those contracting needs with Georgia vendors. GTPAC works with over 3,000 companies across the state to assist them in the pursuit of government contracts.
As a result of the advance work, businesses were pre-matched with DHS buyers representing the Coast Guard, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, FEMA, TSA, DHS headquarters, as well as four large prime contractors currently engaged in DHS contract work.
When the vendors arrived at the event, they were granted on-on-one appointments with the decision-makers. They presented descriptions of their capabilities and then learned details about the upcoming contract opportunities. Over 210 appointments were conducted between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.
Before the event GTPAC prepped the vendors by offering instructions on how to compose an “elevator speech” introduction as well as how to prepare a written capabilities statement.
DHS official Wendy Hill called the outreach event “a great success.” Likewise, vendors had good things to say about how well the event was organized. “Over the top,” remarked one of the participating businesses people. “You all continue to do an amazing job of serving your constituency.”
If you represent a business that didn’t attend the event, all is not lost. You can view lists of upcoming DHS contracting opportunities here: http://apfs.dhs.gov/. And contact information on all DHS contracting personnel appears here: http://www.dhs.gov/xopnbiz/smallbusiness/gc_1178570919850.shtm.
