Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

GTPAC’s website proves to be an invaluable source of government contracting news and resources

By

If you’re a regular visitor to the GTPAC website, you know that the content consists of a very comprehensive collection of news articles, resources and advice — all designed to help your business succeed in the government marketplace.

30th Anniversary - GTPAC 2016To keep the website fresh and relevant, we update it every weekday.  We also pay attention to what interests you most.  During 2016, for instance, we tracked the articles that visitors to our site read most often.  You’ll see the dozen most popular articles listed below.

Did you miss these important news developments last year?
  1. Georgia companies won federal contracts throughout 2016
  2. SBA issues new rules affecting small business affiliation — and lots more
  3. Supreme Court unanimously rules in favor of VOSBs in case involving the VA’s use of GSA Schedule contracts
  4. Registration is now open for GTPAC-hosted, NCMA-sponsored Jan. 24, 2017 Industry Day
  5. Want to get paid? Don’t let your CAGE code expire!
  6. VA makes 21 awards under $22.3 billion T4NG contract
  7. GTPAC receives funding commitments to enter 30th year of service to Georgia businesses
  8. GSA’s $2.93 billion Alliant contract is biggest GWAC in history
  9. Government contracting success event scheduled for Jan. 31, 2017 in Atlanta
  10. VA issues interim procurement guidance in wake of Supreme Court decision
  11. SBA finalizes “universal” small business mentor-protege program
  12. SBA releases scorecard on small business participation in federal contracts
Who’s Watching Us

You’ll be interested to know that 52,000 visitors came to the GTPAC web site 79,000 times in calendar year 2016, viewing individual pages 126,000 times.  

As can be seen from the map above, business people from all parts of Georgia found useful information on the GTPAC web site in 2016.
As can be seen from the map above, business people from all parts of Georgia found useful information on the GTPAC web site in 2016.

During 2016, the top 25 locations in Georgia visiting the GTPAC web site were: Atlanta, Warner Robins, Flowery Branch, Decatur, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Cumming, Smyrna, Carrollton, Gainesville, Roswell, Lawrenceville, Stockbridge, Augusta, Union City, Redan, Johns Creek, Conyers, Columbus, Suwanee, Macon, McDonough, Mableton, Albany, and Savannah.

Visitors to the GTPAC website come from all parts of Georgia — 248 cities and towns in all.  This includes lots of smaller communities where business people pay attention to the GTPAC website, too.  Those include more rural communities like: Appling, Bogart, Cave Spring, Dawson, Experiment, Folkston, Guyton, Hahira, Hiawassee, Oxford, Reynolds, Roopville, Riceboro, Skidaway Island, Sylvania, Swainsboro, Tallapoosa, Temple, Trion, Vienna, Warm Springs, Watkinsville, Waynesville, Young Harris and Zebulon.

There’s no question about it, in-state visitors to our web site reflect the fact that GTPAC actively serves more than 2,700 business people working for 2,100 businesses located in almost all 159 counties in Georgia.

Topics of Interest

So, what topics did visitors to GTPAC’s web site search for most in 2016?  Below is a list of the top dozen and, again, each one is hyperlinked so you can check it out:

  1. SAM Registration (the federal government’s vendor database)
  2. Useful Links (to government contracting resources)
  3. Sources Sought (how government agencies identify vendors)
  4. Capabilities Statement (marketing to government agencies)
  5. Responding to Government Solicitations (tips for responding to an RFP)
  6. Small Business Specialists (and how they can help you)
  7. Contracting News (always the latest developments)
  8. Elevator Speech (what it is and why you need one)
  9. Tips for Attending a Government Expo or Trade Show (what you should do before, during, and after)
  10. Tips for Researching Contract Awardees and Probable Bidders (how to be effective at market research)
  11. Money Laundering and Bribery (reports of government contract fraud)
  12. Small Business (government contracting preferences)
Interest in What We Say Outside Georgia’s Boundaries

Significantly, even though the GTPAC web site is designed for Georgia businesses, 44 percent of our U.S. visitors came from the other 49 states, and 9 percent of our visitors came from 176 other countries.

This table shows the top 10 states where visitors to the GTPAC web site are located.
This table shows the top 10 states where visitors to the GTPAC web site are located.
Our Recommendation

With what amounts to worldwide interest in the content on GTPAC’s web site, maybe you should be visiting more often!

Be sure to visit the GTPAC web site regularly for all the latest news and information about doing business with the government.  Remember, new information and resources are posted every weekday at www.gtpac.org!

Government contracting success event scheduled for Jan. 31 in Atlanta

By

amex-openAmerican Express is bringing its government contracting success event back to Atlanta on Jan. 31, 2017.

The American Express OPEN for Government Contracting program provides free events, resources, mentoring and networking opportunities to help mid-sized businesses to get the insight and experience they need to do business with the world’s largest customer: the U.S. government.

This event gives small and mid-sized business owners insights into how to navigate the government contracting landscape.

Meet Buyers and Mentors

Attendees can sign up for an opportunity to have one-on-one meetings with government agencies and large prime contractor representatives. Past organizations participating include the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Transportation.

There also will be an opportunity to participate in mentoring sessions with government contracting experts, including buyers, agency representatives, and fellow small and mid-sized business owners.

Location and Agenda

The day-long event on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017 will begin at 8:00 am at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis,  265 Peachtree Center Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303.    One of the featured speakers will be Chuck Schadl of the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) who will talk about what it takes to break into, and succeed, in the government marketplace.

Download the preliminary agenda by clicking here.

Registration

To learn more and register, visit: openforum.com/events/OGCAtlanta2017

See a report on a similar event held in Atlanta in 2015 here: http://gtpac.org/2015/02/10/american-express-open-atlanta-guide-features-gtpac 

 

GSA launches phase two of ‘Making It Easier’

By

The General Services Agency launched the Making It Easier initiative in April to help government improve the way it buys good and services, and after a series of successful programs, the agency is ready for phase two.

making-it-easierLaunched on Oct. 24th, the next phase adds a slew of new efforts for both the contracting community and federal agencies. They include new quick-start guides designed to get prepare prospective contractors as they seek business across GSA’s many acquisition vehicles; a Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Modification Improvement process designed to streamline changes in schedule solicitations; and restructured help desks that will give customers a single point of entry.

In addition, GSA planned to release a report describing the full scope of the “Making It Easier” initiative, its impact on stakeholders and prospects for fiscal 2017.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.nextgov.com/technology-news/2016/10/gsa-launches-phase-2-making-it-easier/132572

GTPAC webinars make it convenient to learn more about government contracting

By

30th Anniversary - GTPAC 2016Did you know that many of the training seminars offered by the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) are presented in a webinar format?

This means that you can participate in top-notch training offered by GTPAC’s team of experts from the comfort and convenience of your home or office!  And, as always, GTPAC seminars are free of charge.

Consider the topics covered in upcoming webinars:

  • Introduction to Government Contracting – Oct. 27th – 1-4 pm; Nov. 1st – 9-noon; Dec. 6th – 9-noon; Dec. 14th – 9-noon
  • Selling to State and Local Governments – Oct. 27th – 10-noon; Nov. 2nd – 9-noon; Nov. 15th – 10-noon
  • Preparing Successful Bids & Proposals – Nov. 10th – 10-noon; Nov. 17th – 10-noon
  • Small Business Certification Programs – Nov. 29th – 10-noon
  • Mentor-Protege Programs – Dec. 5th – 10-noon
  • Construction Contracting – Dec. 8th – 10-noon
  • Woman-Owned Small Business Program – Dec. 20th – 10-noon

Register for any of these free webinars by visiting http://gtpac.ecenterdirect.com/events.  (In-classroom training seminars are listed, too.)  Once there, simply click on the seminar title of your choice to initiate the registration process.  After registration, you’ll receive a confirmation email.  A couple days before the webinar, you’ll receive a reminder, along with webinar log-in information.

The rise of cyber security: How governments are buying and what it means for vendors

By

Cyber security is no longer an issue that can be managed exclusively by IT departments and technology vendors alone. With data breaches and attacks on critical infrastructure occurring each year, government agency professionals are struggling to keep up with the increasing cyber attacks. Now, a special report, The Rise of Cyber Security, provides insight into how cyber security impacts the entire business-to-government (B2G) marketplace for both buyers and sellers.

The report is produced by Onvia, a government business intelligence company.

The cyber security report includes the latest research on industry trends and data from Onvia’s comprehensive database of state, local and federal contracts. Readers will discover how cyber security affects all industries and why it is an important issue in government procurement today.

Readers of this report will learn:

  • Areas of government where cyber security solutions are deployed
  • Buying trends and top procurement vehicles
  • Top vendors involved in cyber security projects nationwide
  • Which states are issuing the most cyber security contracts

Download this free report to learn how cyber security affects the business-to-government (B2G) procurement market, and how to make the most informed business decisions in this growing field.

What were your interests in government contracting in 2015?  We know!

By

GTPAC logoYou followed government contracting news posted on the GTPAC website throughout the year, and we tracked what interested you most. This article is an analysis, with links to the most popular articles in 2015.

49,000 visitors came to the GTPAC web site 76,000 times in calendar year 2015, viewing individual pages 179,000 times.  Compared to a year ago, that’s an 8 percent increase in both number of visitors and pages viewed.

In-State Visitors to GTPAC Web Site - CY2015
As can be seen from the map above, business people from all parts of Georgia found useful information on the GTPAC web site in 2015.

Our visitors come from all parts of Georgia — 229 locations in all.  During 2015, the top 25 locations in Georgia visiting the GTPAC web site were: Atlanta, Warner Robins, Roswell, North Druid Hills, Marietta, Macon, Sandy Springs, Lawrenceville, Flowery Branch, Norcross, Augusta, Gainesville, Loganville, Redan, Union City, Savannah, Stockbridge, Duluth, Cumming, Albany, Mableton, Conyers, Smyrna, Johns Creek, and Columbus.

There were lots of smaller communities where business people paid attention to the GTPAC website, too.  Those include: Appling, Cave Spring, Experiment, Hahira, Hiawassee, Oxford, Reynolds, Roopville, Riceboro, Skidaway Island, Sylvania, Swainsboro, Tallapoosa, Temple, Trion, Warm Springs, Watkinsville, and Waynesville.

There’s no question about it, in-state visitors to our web site reflect the fact that GTPAC actively serves more than 2,700 business people within 2,000 businesses located in almost all 159 counties in Georgia.

Now you have the chance to see what you may have missed.

Our analysis has identified the dozen most-read articles and resources of 2015.  Each headline below is hyper-linked to the story:

  1. Georgia companies who won federal contracts in 2015
  2. FBI warns of online scams posing as government services websites
  3. New rules proposed for mentor-protégé, HUBZone, 8(a) and other SBA programs
  4. SBA announces new HUBZone designations effective Jan. 1, 2015
  5. Win a GSA Schedule contract with Georgia Tech’s help
  6. 4 face prison for alleged fraud in claiming 8(a) and SDVOSB status for millions of dollars of federal contracts
  7. DLA to make major changes in contractor shipping requirements
  8. Approximately 600 small contractors will lose their set-aside status in 2015 — and might not know it
  9. Beware of ‘government vendor registration’ websites that charge a fee
  10. Subcontracting could be your starting point into the government market
  11. New rule allows sole source awards to women-owned small businesses
  12. What you need to know about changes to the National Defense Authorization Act

And what topics did visitors to GTPAC’s web site search for most in 2015?  Below is a list of the top dozen and, again, each one is hyperlinked:

  1. SAM Registration (the federal government’s vendor database)
  2. Useful Links (to government contracting resources)
  3. Sources Sought (how government agencies identify vendors)
  4. Capabilities Statement (marketing to government agencies)
  5. Responding to Government Solicitations (tips for responding to an RFP)
  6. Money Laundering and Bribery (reports of government contract fraud)
  7. Small Business Specialists (and how they can help you)
  8. Contracting News (the latest developments)
  9. Small Business (opportunities and developments)
  10. Contracting Tips (practical information)
  11. GSA Schedule (resources for preparing a Schedule proposal)
  12. Elevator Speech (what it is and why you need one)
Top 10 States Visiting GTPAC Web Site - CY2015
This table shows the top 10 states where visitors to the GTPAC web site are located.

Significantly, even though the GTPAC web site is designed for Georgia businesses, half of our U.S. visitors came from the other 49 states, and almost 10 percent of our visitors came from 159 other countries.

With what amounts to worldwide interest in the content on GTPAC’s web site, shouldn’t you be paying closer attention?

Be sure to visit the GTPAC web site regularly for all the latest news and information about doing business with the government.  New information and resources are posted every weekday at www.gtpac.org!

 

Here are the 50 fastest growing small businesses in government contracting

By

Washington Technology has just issued its annual “Fast 50” rankings — the 50 fastest growing small businesses in the government market.  The listing is based on calculations of each businesses’ compound annual growth rate from 2010 to 2014.

The rankings include prime and subcontracting revenue at the federal, state and local levels.  Depending on the company, some international public sector work is factored in as well.

The companies submitted this information to Washington Technology during a call for nomination period earlier this summer. Click here to see the rankings, where you can view the Fast 50 and learn who are these companies with explosive growth.

Read our analysis of what the 2015 Fast 50 says about the current market, and where it is headed.

Washington Technology Senior Staff Writer Mark Hoover will be presenting a free webinar on the Fast 50 on August 19.  Click here for more information and to register.

Source: http://washingtontechnology.com/articles/2015/08/02/fast-50-intro.aspx

American Express OPEN Atlanta Guide features GTPAC

By

On January 21, 2015, you may have had a chance to attend the latest in a series of national forums on government contracting hosted by American Express OPEN.  On that date, OPEN conducted a forum in Atlanta designed to help businesses build connections with government officials, contracting experts, and other businesses to assist in winning government contracts.

American Express OPEN published a contracting guide in conjunction with its Jan. 21st event.  Entitled “Government Contracting in Atlanta: Maximizing Your Success,” the guide features interviews with Chuck Schadl of Georgia Tech; Necole Parker of The Elocen Group (a client of the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center); Cassius Butts, regional director of the Small Business Administration; and Adam Smith, purchasing director for the City of Atlanta.

The guide offers practical tips for pursuing government contracts.  You can download a copy by clicking on this link: Atlanta_Insight_Guide_01.21.2015

AMEX OPEN Atlanta Guide

For more information about American Express OPEN and related business resources, visit: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/explore/?linknav=us-openforum-global-header-whatsnew

What were your interests in government contracting in 2014? We know!

By

41,000 people visited the GTPAC web site 63,000 times in calendar year 2014, viewing individual pages 119,000 times.  That’s a 10 percent increase in number of visitors and pages compared to a year ago!

An analysis shows that the following were the dozen most-read articles and resources of 2014.  Each headline below is hyper-linked to the story:

  1. What is a Capabilities Statement and why should I have one?
  2. It’s a mistake to rush into the SAM vendor registration process
  3. What is a “Sources Sought”? Here’s the answer!  
  4. The 2 most important parts of a gov’t solicitation — and why you should pay attention to them 
  5. Company using 60 business names and 50 websites sued by FL attorney general for misleading businesses about GSA Schedule process
  6. Which Georgia firms are winning federal contracts?
  7. DLA is about to make contractor shipping easier
  8. What’s an “elevator speech”? And why you need one!
  9. Subcontracting could be your starting point into the government market
  10. Beware of ‘government vendor registration’ websites that charge a fee
  11. SAM.gov registration is free, and help with SAM is free, too
  12. Small Business Specialists and how they can help you

And what topics did visitors to GTPAC’s web site search for most in 2014?  Below is a list of the top dozen and, again, each one is hyperlinked:

  1. iSearch (GTPAC’s powerful government contracting opportunities search engine)
  2. GSA Schedule Resources
  3. Small Business
  4. Fraud
  5. HUBZone
  6. Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB)
  7. Request for Proposal (RFP)
  8. System for Award Management (SAM)
  9. Davis-Bacon Act
  10. Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
  11. NAICS Codes
  12. NIGP Codes

Be sure to visit the GTPAC web site regularly for all the latest news and information about doing business with the government.  New information and resources are posted every weekday!

Most contracting occurs where government lacks privity

By

Of the over $500 billion per year spent contracting for everything from computers to carriers, the vast majority of money ultimately awarded and performed by contractors happened without a contract directly from the government. Therefore, there is usually no business relationship (privity) between the government and the contractor doing work for its benefit.

How that can be? What’s going on?

In fact, while the government awards a prime contract for products and services, most often many of the prime’s deliverables from that contract will be subcontracted out to one or many large and small business firms.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.federaltimes.com/story/government/acquisition/blog/2015/01/28/government-subcontracting/22478955/

Contracting News

Read More

Contracting Tips

Read More

GTPAC News

Read More

Georgia Tech News

Read More