GTPAC is closely monitoring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on government contractors. Our greatest concern is for the health, safety, and well-being of our clients and staff. As a unit of Georgia Tech, we will continue to comply with Georgia Tech’s operational directives and that of the University System of Georgia.
We are still operating and performing all counseling sessions by email, phone, or via online conferencing methods (GoToMeeting, Zoom). Because some of our counselors are now working from home, their phone contact information may have recently changed. Please visit the team directory and each counselor’s profile on our website for the most up-to-date contact information: https://gtpac.org/team-directory/
If you would like an appointment, please reach out to the specific procurement counselor you would like an appointment with by phone or email. If you would like an appointment with GTPAC’s Program Manager Andrew Smith, please book an appointment using his online appointment booking website.
All of our seminars and classes are now being taught online as webinars. You can register for any of our classes and seminars on our training events page here: https://gtpac.ecenterdirect.com/events
When we resume normal operations and allow in-person appointments again, we will provide notification.
We have created this webpage as a resource for government contractors who have been impacted by COVID-19. We will update this webpage regularly with the latest news and information that may be helpful to government contractors during this difficult time.
Please continue to visit this resources page for the latest in helpful links, webinars, and current information.
Key Websites:
- The Georgia Department of Economic Development is leading the state’s charge to identify manufacturers and distributors across the state who have in their inventory, or could produce, distribute, or store, critical health care equipment that is already limited in supply or may become scarce during the pandemic. We ask that businesses able to provide assistance and resources with factories already up and running, or with facilities that can be repurposed for these vital products, complete the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s market research form as soon as possible: https://www.georgia.org/covid19response
- Georgia’s 17 Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), are taking the lead on providing guidance regarding a variety of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan and economic programs that have been established under the CARES Act and subsequent legislation related to the coronavirus. You can find the latest information on their website here: https://www.georgiasbdc.org/
Small Business Loans and Economic Resources:
- The SBA has created a website to provide guidance to small businesses interested in Coronavirus (COVID-19) related resources and loans. You can visit the SBA’s website here: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
- If you need help understanding the SBA loan process or the economic resources available pursuant to the CARES Act, the Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network through the University of Georgia can help. They are the primary government entity that can counsel small businesses on SBA loan and economic resource programs. For the latest news on the SBDC’s efforts to address COVID-19, visit their website here: https://www.georgiasbdc.org/
- You can also reach out to your local Georgia SBDC using the contact information listed here: https://www.georgiasbdc.org/locations/
- In this online post which provides an overview of CARES Act funding resources, you will find a list of SBA lenders in Georgia.
- The U.S. Department of Treasury has put on their website additional fact sheets regarding the CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/top-priorities/cares-act/assistance-for-small-businesses
Contracting:
General Contracting Guidance for Industry:
Many agencies are conducting market research in order to identify vendors who can provide needed supplies and services to respond to COVID-19. It is critically important that you respond to these market research inquiries when you see them. Normally you respond to these inquiries by supplying government agencies with the required information they request.
If the item or service you are selling is needed, responding to a market research inquiry, while not guaranteeing a contract, can potentially lead to an opportunity to contract.
Make sure your company is registered in SAM.GOV and the Disaster Response Registry. Many government agencies are searching the Disaster Response Registry for government contractors who can provide needed products and services in response to COVID-19.
Be sure to keep searching for opportunities including: Requests for Information (RFIs), sources sought (market research inquiries), and published solicitations (RFPs, RFQs, and IFBs).
You can find federal contracting opportunities at beta.sam.gov which is the official website federal agencies use to publish federal procurement opportunities.
For state and local government opportunities in Georgia, search the Georgia Procurement Registry: https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/gpr/.
Other states also have websites where state and local contracting opportunities are posted.
Government agencies at all levels, including the Georgia Department of Economic Development are looking to identify manufacturers and distributors who can provide the following items:
- Air Purifying Machines
- Face Shields
- Gloves (Various Sizes/Nitrile or latex-free)
- Hair Covers
- Hand sanitizer
- Hospital Beds
- N-95 Masks or Equivalent
- Negative Pressure Machines
- No-Touch Thermometers
- Regular Thermometers if No-Touch Thermometers are not available
- Safety Goggles
- Sanitation Units
- Sanitizing Spray
- Sanitizing Wipes
- Shoe Covers
- Surgical Gowns
- Surgical Masks
- Tyvek Suits
- Ventilators
If your business that can provide, produce, distribute, store – or quickly be repurposed to create the items included in the list above, the Georgia Department of Economic Development asks you to complete and submit this form as soon as possible: http://www.georgia.org/covid19response
When searching government opportunity websites, the list of items above may be important search terms for finding additional opportunities.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Contracting Guidance:
- FEMA’s Doing Business with FEMA Page is the best source of up-to-date information on how to find FEMA opportunities. FEMA also has a dedicated page on how your company can help them respond to COVID-19.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Contracting Guidance:
USACE HQ is currently seeking Vaccine Center Support contractors, if your company is interested in supporting Vaccine Centers please fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWyrdmobjbXLJhKye0apU7XscoF73bTXOxd3DWSzQt3zDhlA/viewform
All other vendors seeking to support COVID-19 response efforts should visit the USACE coronavirus website here and register in the Disaster Response Registry.
Department of Defense (DoD) Contracting Guidance:
The latest guidance and information from DoD related to the coronavirus can be found on the following websites.
- DoD Coronavirus response website: https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/
- DoD Industrial Policy website: https://www.businessdefense.gov/coronavirus/
- DoD Office of Small Business Programs: https://business.defense.gov/
- Defense Assisted Acquisition (DA2) Cell: https://www.acq.osd.mil/jrac/da2/index.html
- AFWERX COVID-19 National Response Team page: https://www.afwerx.af.mil/coronavirus.html
**Note:** It is critical that suppliers intending to provide medical devices and medical personal protective equipment register in the SAM Disaster Response Registry.
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Contracting Guidance:
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is also substantially involved in responding to COVID-19. The best source of information on DLA COVID-19 related opportunities can be found on DLA’s Small Business website.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Contracting Guidance:
The key website for learning how to do business with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is the VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU): https://www.va.gov/osdbu/
Webinars:
Disaster Contracting – Before the Storm (July 28, 2020):
