Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

Defense Innovation Conference less than a week away — Register now!

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Let’s start with a few questions …
  • Are you interested in doing business with the Department of Defense (the biggest buyer on earth of everything)?
  • Do you want to learn about the latest programs designed to help innovative small companies do business with DoD?
  • Would you like to know how major Defense contractors select their subcontractors?
  • Are you interested in the new cybersecurity requirements and how they apply to DoD contractors?

If you answered “yes” to any or all of these questions, you need to be in attendance at GTPAC’s Defense Innovation Conference to be held on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019 at the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center in Atlanta.

Hurry — Space Is Limited!

The registration fee to attend this one-of-a-kind, day-long conference is only $50, and includes both breakfast and lunch.  Registration details are at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creating-the-next-defense-innovation-conference-tickets-53056770228.  Advance registration is required — no registration at the door!

One-of-a-Kind Opportunity

The conference represents a unique and rare opportunity to:

  • Hear directly from Lisa R. Sanders, Director of Science and Technology for the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM).  She will be speaking about SOCOM’s contracting priorities, problems to solve, and doing business with SOCOM.
  • Learn from major defense contractors who will be speaking on their subcontracting needs and their procedures for selecting subcontractors.
  • Meet scores of small businesses who are looking for opportunities to form teaming partnerships to apply their innovative technologies, services, and products.
  • Participate in break-out workshops on topics like compliance with DoD’s cybersecurity requirements.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to meet and hear from leaders in the Defense industry!  Advance registration is required. 

To register, click here.

Full Agenda and Featured Speakers

An advance copy of the conference agenda is available here: Agenda – Defense Innovation Conference – 01.14.2019 – Final.

Biographical sketches of all the featured speakers is available here: Featured Speakers – Defense Innovation Conference 01.14.2019.

 

Interest in GTPAC continued to grow in 2018 – What did you miss?

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

To keep our web site fresh and relevant, we update it each weekday.  We also pay attention to what interests you most. During 2018, for instance, we tracked the articles that visitors to our site read most often.  You’ll see the 15 most popular articles listed below.

Did you miss these Top 15 most important news developments last year?
  1. Georgia companies won federal contracts throughout 2018
  2. SAM.gov registration is free, and help with SAM is free, too
  3. Schemes targeting small business contractors proliferate
  4. Cybersecurity training video launched by GTPAC
  5. Management of DoD contractor pleads guilty to ‘Made in the USA’ contract fraud
  6. GTPAC to host ‘Defense Innovation Conference’ on Jan. 14th
  7. Multiple defendants charged with 22 counts of fraud and money laundering involving $200 million in small business contracts
  8. DoD awards more than $230 billion to minority- and women-owned businesses from 2010-2016
  9. Quick guide to product and service codes in government contracting
  10. Judge imposes maximum sentences in Fort Gordon bid-rigging conspiracy
  11. You must be registered in SAM before you submit a federal bid, proposal or quote
  12. SBA sneaks in rule on small business recertification
  13. Scam Alert: Malicious e-mail spoofs being sent to vendors
  14. Two companies and individuals indicted for exploiting disadvantaged business program
  15. What to expect during a government shutdown: Submitting bids, getting paid, and more
Who’s Watching Us

You’ll be interested to know that 95,491 visitors came to the GTPAC web site 126,160 times in calendar year 2018, viewing individual pages 181,097 times.  These numbers represent 52% growth in web visitors, 39% growth in visits, and 38% growth in page views compared to 2017.  

As can be seen from the map above, business people from all parts of Georgia found useful information on the GTPAC web site in 2018.

During 2018, the top 50 locations in Georgia where folks visited the GTPAC web site were: Atlanta, Marietta, Warner Robins, Augusta, Union City, Sandy Springs, Redan, Stockbridge, McDonough, Smyrna, Lawrenceville, Douglasville, Roswell, Savannah, Albany, Columbus, Macon, Woodstock, Fayetteville, Mableton, Johns Creek, Conyers, Cumming, Tucker, Chamblee, Snellville, Duluth, Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Acworth, Athens, Milton, Suwanee, Kennesaw, Riverdale, Decatur, Dacula, Gainesville, Peachtree City, Lilburn, Vinings, Brookhaven, East Point, Evans, Powder Springs, Panthersville, Norcross, Newnan, and Buford.

Visitors to the GTPAC web site during 2018 came from all parts of Georgia — 266 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, Helen, Hiawassee, Ludowici, McRae, Newington, Oxford, Pine Mountain, Reynolds, Roopville, Riceboro, Skidaway Island, Senoia, 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 currently serves 6,300 business people working for 2,300 businesses located in 150 of the 159 counties in Georgia.

Topics of Interest

So, what topics did visitors to GTPAC’s web site search for most in 2018?  Below is a list of the top 15 and, again, each one is hyperlinked so you can check it out:

  1. SAM (System for Award Management — the federal government’s vendor database)
  2. Useful Links (to government contracting resources)
  3. iSearch (a guide to using GTPAC’s powerful tool to identify contract opportunities)
  4. Tips for Attending a Government Expo or Trade Show (what you should do before, during, and after)
  5. Tips for Researching Contract Awardees and Probable Bidders (how to be effective at market research)
  6. Elevator Speech (what it is and why you need one)
  7. Discussions vs. Clarifications vs. Communications (these words have special meanings in federal contracting)
  8. Why Your Contracting Officer Is Hard to Reach (this could explain why)
  9. Rules for Doing Business with the State of Georgia (updates to the State’s purchasing manual)
  10. Crucial Details You Need to Know Before You Bid on a Government Contract (5 critical things can help you prepare)
  11. Sources Sought (how government agencies identify vendors)
  12. Capabilities Statement (marketing to government agencies)
  13. Responding to Government Solicitations (tips for responding to an RFP)
  14. Money Laundering, Bribery and Fraud (reports of government contracting fraud)
  15. Contracting Tips (government contracting advice)
Interest in GTPAC Outside Georgia’s Boundaries

Significantly, even though the GTPAC web site is designed for Georgia businesses, 80 percent of our U.S. visitors during 2018 came from the other 49 states, and 6 percent of our visitors came from 184 other countries.

This table shows the top 10 states where visitors to the GTPAC web site during 2018 are located. For the first year ever, there were more visitors from Virginia than from Georgia.
Our Recommendation To You for 2018

With what amounts to both nationwide and 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!

 

 

 

 

 

Learn what DoD prime contractors want in a subcontractor

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How do major Defense Department contractors select their subcontractors?

If you want answers to this question — and even more insights into doing business in the Defense industry — you should plan to be in attendance at “Creating the Next: Defense Innovation Conference” to be held on Monday, January 14, 2019.

Included in the conference is a panel presentation by representatives of large contractors — including Lockheed Martin, LMI, and Huntington Ingalls Industries — who will describe how their companies pick subcontractors.

The Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) is hosting this day-long event to provide businesses with details on how to contribute to the achievement of the Defense Department’s mission.

A featured speaker at the event is Lisa R. Sanders who is Director of Science and Technology for the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM).  She will be speaking about SOCOM’s contracting priorities, problems to solve, and doing business with SOCOM — with a focus on options available to small businesses.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to meet and hear from leaders in the Defense industry!  Advance registration is required. 

To register, click here.

The Jan. 14th event is being held at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia.  Both breakfast and lunch are included in the $50 registration fee.

Full Agenda and Featured Speakers

An advance copy of the conference agenda is available here: Agenda – Defense Innovation Conference – 01.14.2019 – Final.

Biographical sketches of all the featured speakers is available here: Featured Speakers – Defense Innovation Conference 01.14.2019.

 

 

Pentagon considers cybersecurity certification for its contractors

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In cybersecurity, you’re only as strong as your weakest link.

For the Defense Department, the area with the fewest cyber protections are the defense contractors the department works with, particularly the small businesses that don’t have the expertise or resources to build a robust security posture.

The Pentagon put together a task force to assess whether small businesses within the defense industrial base are complying with the cybersecurity framework published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and provide assistance to companies that need help.

The department issued a new rule last year requiring vendors to show that they are in compliance with NIST standards or have a plan to get there quickly. Those plans were due Jan. 1.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2018/12/pentagon-considers-cybersecurity-certification-its-contractors/153330/

See GTPAC’s video, template and other resources designed to help contractors comply with the DoD/NIST cybersecurity rules at: http://gtpac.org/cybersecurity-training-video/

Special Operations’ science and technology director is speaking at Jan. 14 GTPAC event

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Lisa R. Sanders, Director of Science and Technology for the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), is a featured speaker at the Defense Innovation Conference being hosted by the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019.

Registration details for the conference are at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creating-the-next-defense-innovation-conference-tickets-53056770228

Ms. Sanders is responsible for all research and development funded activities for Special Operations Forces, Acquisition, Technology & Logistics (SOF AT&L), SOCOM, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

A Defense Intelligence Senior Leader, Ms. Sanders will be speaking at the Jan. 14th event on SOCOM’s Priorities, Problems to Solve, and Doing Business with SOCOM — with a focus on options available to small businesses.

Don’t miss out on hearing from Ms. Sanders and other leaders in the federal government’s innovation arena.  Register to attend today!

Full Agenda and Featured Speakers

An advance copy of the conference agenda is available here: Agenda – Defense Innovation Conference – 01.14.2019 – Final.

Biographical sketches of all the featured speakers is available here: Featured Speakers – Defense Innovation Conference 01.14.2019.

Is there something that Virginia businesses know that Georgia businesses don’t?

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Okay, Georgia businesses, pay attention to this:
Companies in Virginia visit the GTPAC website more frequently than you do.

Is there something they know that you don’t know?

There’s probably a lot more Virginia businesses know about government contracting than Georgia firms know — especially since Virginia companies read information on the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center’s website 25 percent more often than Georgia businesses do.

That’s right: Even though the GTPAC program is designed to assist Georgia firms succeed in the government marketplace — and the GTPAC website is customized to the interests of Georgia businesses — Virginia firms are paying more attention to our content than you are.

Year to date, there have been 21,236 visitors from Virginia to our site versus only 15,949 from Georgia.

Of course, the very nature of the World Wide Web is that it’s open to all.  There are no restrictions on who can view — and benefit from — the GTPAC website.  That’s why, each week, GTPAC’s website accommodates visitors from all 50 states.  But this is the first year that there are more visitors from another state than from Georgia.

So, it’s time to take action, Georgia!   You should make it a point to visit www.gtpac.org on a regular basis.  New content is posted on our site every day.  You also can follow GTPAC on Twitter at twitter.com/gtpac_org.

Let’s close-out calendar year 2018 with more visitors to the GTPAC website from Georgia than any other state!

Fort Gordon to hold ‘forecast forum’ Dec. 13th

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If you are interested in learning about upcoming contract opportunities at Fort Gordon, you should consider attending the base’s year-end Forecast Forum on December 13, 2018.

Fort Gordon’s Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) is inviting all businesses to hear their presentation on their anticipated forecasted opportunities for FY 2019 and FY 2020.

Additional presentations will be made by representatives of the Georgia District Office of the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC), and the General Services Administration (GSA).

On-site registration for the event begins at 8:00 am.  The event is scheduled to begin at 8:30 am and end at noon.

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

Important access information: 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 gain access only through the Main Gate (Gate 1) by way of Dyess Parkway and Gordon Highway.  You will need to show auto registration, auto insurance, driver’s license and a second 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.

Registration: There is not a formal registration process, but those who wish to attend are asked to contact Ophelia Brown in advance via email to:  ophelia.m.brown.civ@mail.mil

See promotional flyer here: MICC Fort Gordon Forecast Forum FY19 – 12.13.2018

 

 

GTPAC to host Defense Innovation Conference on Jan. 14th

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If you and your company have the next key discovery or the next great idea that could benefit the Department of Defense (DoD), block-out January 14, 2019 on your calendar right now.

On that date, the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) will host a day-long event designed to benefit innovative small businesses – with priority given to small technology companies that have the potential to directly enhance achievement of DoD’s mission.

Registration is now open at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creating-the-next-defense-innovation-conference-tickets-53056770228     Advance registration is required for this event; on-site registration will not be allowed.  The registration fee is $50.

By attending, you’ll learn all about the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, the Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF), Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for prototype projects, and additional contracting vehicles aimed at attracting innovative companies to help the U.S. Department of Defense.

See promotional flyer here: Defense Innovation Conference – Jan. 14 2019 Event

So, save the date!  Registration is at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creating-the-next-defense-innovation-conference-tickets-53056770228

Full Agenda and Featured Speakers

An advance copy of the conference agenda is available here: Agenda – Defense Innovation Conference – 01.14.2019 – Final.

Biographical sketches of all the featured speakers is available here: Featured Speakers – Defense Innovation Conference 01.14.2019.

Two new free webinars to be presented on Oct. 24th

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The Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) has just added two new webinars to our free training roster.  Both webinars will be presented on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. 

Details, times, and registration details appear below.

“Capabilities Statement — What It Is and Why You Should Have One”  

  • Time: 10:00 to 11:30 am
  • Description: In order to effectively market yourself in the government sector, you should have a corporate résumé. Government agencies call this a Capabilities Statement.  A Capabilities Statement should contain information to tell buyers why you’re an expert and why they should feel confident about awarding you a contract. This workshop provides instruction on how to write a good Capabilities Statement, including all the right ingredients. If you are looking for help with how to present your company to government decision-makers, then attending this workshop is a must.
  • Register at: https://gtpac.ecenterdirect.com/events/8558

“How to Create a Great Elevator Speech”

  • Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Description: Ever wondered how to introduce your business to a government buyer? Like everything else, there’s a right way and a wrong way. Government officials are often pressed for time, so you usually have a limited amount of time to “sell yourself.” This workshop will teach you how to introduce yourself like a pro … and convince decision-makers that you are an expert at what you do!
  • Register at: https://gtpac.ecenterdirect.com/events/8559

 

You are invited to be a beta-tester for a brand-new GTPAC service

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Raise your hand … if you’re interested in providing suggestions for a valuable new service that the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) is planning to launch in October!

GTPAC is creating a brand new, on-line tool that will allow clients to collaborate among themselves.  This means that GTPAC clients – exclusively – will be able to ask questions of other clients, share information, offer suggestions, recruit teaming partners, and lots more.

Before we launch this new tool – called The GTPAC Community – we want to solicit feedback from a group of users who will be given access to a beta version of the tool.

If you’d like to play a role in the beta testing before we launch The GTPAC Community, please send an email to: kedouard@georgia.org

  • In the Subject line of your email, put the words: GTPAC Community
  • In the body of your email, simply provide: your name, your company name, and your email address.

After we verify that you are a registered GTPAC client, you’ll be send a link to the beta version of The GTPAC Community, along with instructions for providing any feedback you’d like to share.

Thank you for playing a role in making GTPAC’s services even more valuable!

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