Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

GTPAC hosts Atlanta Government Contracting Day event

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On Tuesday, May 21, 2019, the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (“GTPAC”) hosted an event called Atlanta Government Contracting Day.  The purpose of the event was to provide general information and education on how to be a successful government contractor in Georgia.  The event also served as a platform to provide attendees with awareness of resources that could provide assistance to small businesses looking to participate in the government market.

Over 60 small businesses attended the event from a wide variety of industries.  GTPAC wants to thank everyone who attended the event, and our resources partners (SBA, SBDC, SCORE, State of Georgia Purchasing Division) who participated.  The event was a huge success and we could not have done it without the help of our resource partners and the great support that was also provided by our friends at The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech.

For those who did not attend, you can download and review the event slideshow presentations below:

How To Win Government Contracts – Andrew Smith

GTPAC Community Launch Presentation – Khai Edouard

Overview of the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) – Bart Njoku-Obi

Overview of SCORE Atlanta – Nancy Cleveland 

Doing Business with the State of Georgia – Julian Bailey

Save the date: GSA to host FAST conference April 14-16, 2020 in Atlanta

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During the Coalition’s Spring Training Conference last week, Emily Murphy, the administrator of the General Services Administration, announced that the agency will be hosting a Federal Acquisition Service Training (FAST) Conference on April 14-16, 2020, in Atlanta.

As many of you know, the Coalition has been a strong advocate for GSA-hosted training opportunities, which will help facilitate the critically important task of educating government and industry on GSA’s contracting programs, e-tools, and other initiatives in an environment that fosters constructive dialogue for common sense solutions.

The return of a nation-wide training conference is a game-changer for GSA and the procurement community.  The FAST Conference will provide agencies, as well as industry, with thousands of procurement training hours and the opportunity to explore the latest commercial solutions that meet Federal agencies’ mission critical needs.  In addition, the Conference will provide GSA, customer agencies, and industry with a unique and valuable business intelligence opportunity, as stakeholders share information on key program initiatives, acquisition policies, commercial capabilities, and trends in the commercial marketplace.

You can find more information on the conference here.

Continue reading at:  Federal News Network

Department of Labor to host education, outreach event for veterans June 26th

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Veterans’ Employment and Training Service are collaborating with the Georgia Department of Labor, the Atlanta VA Health Care System, and the Goodwill Career Center to host a veteran’s education and outreach event, according to a press release.

The event, titled “From Deployment to Employment: Hire a Veteran Career and Resource Linkage,” serves as an opportunity for qualified veterans, veterans with disabilities, and military spouses to connect with federal contractors offering employment.  The event will also assist federal contractors in meeting goals for hiring individuals with disabilities and veterans, and connect these companies with community-based organizations that provide training and rehabilitation services to veterans with disabilities.

Registration for the event is available at:  Eventbrite 

Continue reading at:  U.S. Department of Labor website

Northrop Grumman to provide free cybersecurity training to small businesses June 4th

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Northrop Grumman, in collaboration with the USC Center for Economic Development, is offering FREE cybersecurity training to small businesses.  The workshop is open to all small businesses, but advance registration is required.

The primary purpose of the one-day 8-hour workshop is to ensure that small businesses are aware of the cybersecurity requirements mandated under Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (“DFARS”) Subpart 204.73 (Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting).  The workshop will focus on understanding the risks associated with safeguarding controlled unclassified DoD information. 

The workshop will focus on the groups of controls from NIST SP 800-171, with examples highlighting what happens when these controls are not implemented.  By the end of the workshop, small businesses will become familiar with all 110 controls and be able to better identify the areas where you may need greater focus to meet the DoD’s cybersecurity expectations.

Here are the details about the event:

Date:  Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Time:  8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET

Location:  Loudermilk Conference Center, 40 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303

The training will also be available online via webinar.

For registration, visit:  https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eg5xonme7588be26&oseq=&c=&ch=

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to hold small business exchange and matchmaking event June 5th

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The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”) is holding a Small Business Exchange and Matchmaking Event June 5th in Atlanta, Georgia.  The event is FREE and small businesses will have the chance to learn about contracting opportunities with the NRC and other U.S. Government Agencies.  The event will be attended by the NRC, other local government agencies, prime contractors and resource partners. 

What to Expect:  A day packed with informational sessions, B2G matchmaking, and partner exhibitors. 

Where:  Georgia State University Student Center, 33 Gilmer Street SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30303

When:  June 5th, 2019

Time:  8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Please make sure to register at:  https://nrcsboutreachatlanta2019.eventbrite.com/

Event flyer:  NRCSBOutreach Registration Flyer – Final 4.9

GTPAC launches Veterans verification video

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The Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (“GTPAC”) has created a new free training resource for Veteran small business owners.  GTPAC, with the support of the Defense Logistics Agency (“DLA”), has produced a free video that provides a detailed explanation of how Veterans can get their small business verified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business (“VOSB”) or Service-disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (“SDVOSB”) under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (“VA”) Vets First Verification Program.

SDVOSBs and VOSBs receive certain preferences in the federal procurement process, including SDVOSB and VOSB set-aside contracts, sole-source awards (for SDVOSBs), and subcontracting opportunities with federal prime contractors, who are often required to utilize SDVOSBs and VOSBs in their subcontracting plans.

“This video is a great resource for helping VOSBs and SDVOSBs understand the verification process at VA, and how they can benefit from getting verified,” said Andrew E. Smith, Program Manager of the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center, he continued, “We take great pride in assisting our Veteran small business clients here in Georgia, and want them to take full advantage of the opportunities that are available to them.”

Each year, the federal government awards billions of dollars in contracts to VOSBs and SDVOSBs.  Federal prime contractors also frequently subcontract work to VOSBs and SDVOSBs when performing large government contracts.

GTPAC hopes this video helps Veterans understand the verification process, and makes that process a little bit easier.

Additional resources including links to key VA Verification websites is available on the Veterans Verification Video page.

U.S. Department of Education to host Atlanta small business conference July 29th

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The U.S. Department of Education (Education) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) will host the Atlanta Small Business Conference Monday, July 29, 2019.  The Atlanta Small Business Conference will feature presentations concerning Education procurement opportunities and Education prime contractor partnering opportunities.

Registration is required.  Conference registration will close July 22, 2019  or when capacity is reached.

The U.S. Department of Education has posted the following notice on fbo.gov:

The U.S. Department of Education Atlanta Small Business Conference

https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ED/OCFO/CPO/ED-OSDBU-ATL-SB19-9100/listing.html

Below is the conference registration link:

http://www.cvent.com/d/m6qy9k/1Q

Event Details

Date:  July 29, 2019

Time:  10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Location:  Sam Nunn Federal Building, 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Please email questions to small.business@ed.gov or call 202-245-6300.

Update: Fort Gordon open house and forecast forum scheduled for June 12th CANCELED

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Unfortunately, this event has now been CANCELED.

We received the following message from Mr. Rufus Gates, a Small Business Specialist with MICC:  “The Open House Forecast Forum has been cancelled due to other official duties.  I am having to go on temporary duty to support other installations during the month of June.  This event will be rescheduled for a date after 1 Oct 2019.  Thank you all so much for agreeing to participate in our event and we look forward to your future participation.”

U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command (“MICC”) – Fort Gordon invites you to an open house and “forecast forum” to provide anticipated forecast opportunities for FY 2020 and FY 2021.  Additional presentations will be provided by:

  • Georgia District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”)
  • Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (“GTPAC”)
  • U.S. General Services Administration (“GSA”)

The open house and forecast forum will be held on: June 12, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET.

Sign-in will be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. 

Location: Signal Theater Building (Building 21610), 21610 Barnes Avenue, Fort Gordon, GA 30905 (next to the indoor swimming pool).

**IMPORTANT**: If you have Military/DoD Civilian ID or CAC Card, you can gain access to Fort Gordon through any gate.  If you do not, you can only gain access through the Main Gate by way of Dyess Parkway and Gordon Highway.  You will need to show Auto Registration, Auto Insurance, Driver’s License and another form of ID.  Please allow extra time for background check and vehicle inspection.  Do not speed or use cellular phones without a hands-free device while driving on Fort Gordon.  All vehicles must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

Here is the official flyer:  ACQ Forecast Open House Flyer

For further information contact: ophelia.m.brown.civ@mail.mil

SBA to host surety bond workshop June 27th

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On Thursday, June 27, 2019, the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (“NASBP”) will be holding a half-day surety bond workshop.  Topics covered will include:

  • Contract Bonding and Insurance
  • Banking and Finance
  • Risk Management and Legal Concerns
  • Federal Assistance Programs
  • Local Procurement Opportunities
  • Business Development Resources

This event will be held at the Cleveland L. Dennard Conference Center, Atlanta Technical College, 1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET.

Here is the official SBA event flyer:  SBA Surety Bond Workshop Flyer

Registration is required, because seats are limited:

Click Here To Register or go to www.sba.gov/ga

GTPAC supports Georgia National Guard vendor expo

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On May 2nd, 2019, GTPAC provided support at the Georgia National Guard vendor expo at the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, GA.  Vendors who attended the expo were allowed to showcase their products and services to buyers from the Georgia National Guard’s logistics, human resources, medical, equipment, training, operations, and information technology units.

The event was organized by Derrick A. Thomas, a Contract Specialist with the Georgia National Guard.  The Georgia National Guard makes a strong effort each year to reach out to small businesses in the local community who desire to do business with the Guard. 

GTPAC Program Manager Andrew Smith spoke at the event and provided some general tips and advice to contractors in attendance.  “To be a successful government contractor, you have to have the basics covered.  You need to be registered in SAM, the SBA Dynamic Small Business Search (“DSBS”) database, and you need to develop a smart marketing strategy if you want to have a chance to win simplified acquisitions or subcontracting opportunities.” 

GTPAC and Procurement Technical Assitance Centers located in all 50 states, regularly provided free assistance to businesses who need help with the SAM and SBA DSBS registration process. 

Smith continued, “The government will not buy from you if they do not know about you, and the value of your products or services, so attending events like this where you can interact with government buyers, showcase your products and services, and meet prime contractors who are looking for subcontractors is essential if you want to have success in the government market.  I thank the Georgia National Guard for making this opportunity available to the local business community.”

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