Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

GAO infographic shows how the federal government spent money in 2018

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With tax season over, now is a good time to look at how the government uses your tax dollars.

About 40% of the government’s discretionary spending goes to contracts for goods and services covering everything from health care to hand grenades.  In fiscal year 2018, the federal government spent more than $550 billion on these contracts, an increase of more $100 billion from 2015.  This increase is largely driven by spending on national defense.

GAO has recently published an infographic that shows more details on how federal contracting dollars are spent across the federal government—including which agencies obligated the most funds, what they bought, and whether the contracts were competed.

Continue reading at the:  GAO Watch Blog

5 tips for making winning bids

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After spending 30 years in the software business, Greg Mills was seeking a new challenge. That’s why two years ago, he acquired a brass and metal-fixtures manufacturer near Phoenix and renamed it M3 metals. He’s spent the majority of that time seeking ways to modernize and streamline the company, so it can find new customers in the increasingly competitive construction industry.

He isn’t alone. In fact, 34 percent of construction companies said their biggest challenge in their first through fourth years in business was finding new customers, according to a Kabbage® study. That’s more than the 30 percent combined who said they were most concerned with managing cash flow, dealing with regulations, and finding and retaining employees.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.constructiondive.com/news/5-tips-for-making-winning-bids/530192/

GSA invites industry comment by Jan. 9th on upcoming e-commerce portals

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In an effort to create a new online market for government contracts, the General Services Administration (“GSA”) has invited industry to comment on the development and design of e-commerce portals for commercial procurements.

GSA’s request for comments was published on December 15, 2017.  This comment period provides a valuable opportunity for contractors to advise GSA on what regulations and business practices should apply to e-commerce portals, which will likely serve as a platform for billions of dollars’ worth of government business.

GSA’s announcement comes only days after the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2018 (“2018 NDAA” or the “Act”), which included an overhaul of the commercial item procurement system and directed GSA to develop e-commerce systems.  Pursuant to Section 846(a) of the Act, GSA must establish e-commerce portals “for the purposes of enhancing competition, expediting procurement, enabling market research, and ensuring reasonable pricing of commercial products.”  2018 NDAA § 846(a).  GSA has 90 days to implement “phase I” of Section 846, under which GSA must develop a plan and schedule for creating e-commerce portals.  2018 NDAA § 846(c)(1).

Keep reading this article at: https://www.insidegovernmentcontracts.com/2017/12/7399/

Three tips for researching contract awardees and probable bidders

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Trying to size-up your competition in the federal contracting marketplace? 
Looking for a “winner” to team-up with?  
Or just curious about what companies are successfully winning government contracts?

Here are three relatively easy ways to do some meaningful market research on-line:

  1. Go to FedBizOpps (FBO) and use the “Advanced Search” feature there to look for contract opportunities and contract awards in the NAICS category that describes what you sell (look up your NAICS codes here).   Set whatever date parameters you’d like (FBO will allow you to search back many years).   You also might want to set some geographic limits on your search.   Be sure to select both active and archived documents as well as awards.   After you hit the Search button, you can then sort through the resulting list (which is compiled by most recent contracts back to the oldest).  Drill down into contract awards postings to see which agencies have bought what you sell and who’s won these contracts in the past.
  2. Whenever you go to FedBizOpps and look at an active solicitation, you should get acquainted with using the two buttons labeled: “Add to Watchlist” and “Add Me To Interested Vendors.”    The first one will ensure that you are sent updates on the solicitation.  The second button will add you to a list of interested parties; it allows the contracting officer to assess potential interest in the solicitation, and when the “View Interested Vendors” module has been activated, it allows anyone to see the list of interested parties, along with all their contact information.  Once you register, this is a good way to “see and be seen.”
  3. If the “View Interested Vendors” module in FedBizOpps has not been activated for a particular solicitation, you may wish to email the points-of-contact listed in the posting and request that they activate it so that all may see the list.  Let them know that you are interested and qualified to participate and wish to pursue a partnering arrangement.  If you are a small business – particularly one in a socio-economic category the government gives preference to – be sure to point that out.  Contracting officers will understand that your gaining access to the list could help facilitate small business participation in the contract.
  4. We promised three tips, but here’s a bonus tip!   Each month, GTPAC posts on its web site a list of the contractors in Georgia that won federal contracts.  Each list shows the name of the prime contractor, the title of the contract, the awarding agency, dollar value, and points of contact.  You can find these lists at: http://gtpac.org/tag/awardees/

Be sure to attend classes conducted by the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) and communicate with GTPAC’s Procurement Counselors to learn about even more ways to conduct market research, identify opportunities, and find potential subcontracting leads.

© 2010-2017 Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center – All Rights Reserved.

Fort Stewart forecasts their contract opportunities on July 27

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Fort Stewart invites all interested vendors to a “Forecast Forum” — featuring representatives from Fort Stewart Units and Mission Installation Contracting Command (MICC) — where anticipated contract opportunities for the remainder of FY17 will be discussed.  (FY17 ends Sept. 30, 2017.)

When:

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Time:

9:00 am to 1:00 pm – Event sign-in begins at 8:30 am

Where:

SFC Paul R. Smith Education Center, 100 Knowledge Drive, Fort Stewart, GA 31313

Registration:

There is no fee to attend but advance registration is required!

For your convenience, Registration may be completed in any of three different ways:

  1. On-Line Registration at:  https://gtpac.ecenterdirect.com/events/signup/8376
  2. Call Mr. Larry N. Blige of the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center to: 912-963-2524
  3. Fax a registration form to: 912-963-2522.  Download the registration form here: Ft Stewart MICC Forcast Forum Registration Form – 07.27.2017
Important base access information: 

This event is located outside Gate 1 (No gate access is required).  Make a right onto General Stewart Way and a left onto Knowledge Drive.  If you have Military/Federal Civilian ID or CAC Card, you can gain access to Fort Stewart through any gate.  If you do not, you will only gain access to this event at Gate 1 and will need to show a CURRENT Driver’s License, Auto Registration, and Auto Insurance.  Also, allow extra time in case they need to inspect your vehicle.  Do not speed on this installation.  Use of (non-hands free) cell phones while driving on Fort Stewart is illegal, and you could be fined.

State and local government survey shows increased opportunities, overworked staffs, and implications for vendors

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Government business intelligence company Onvia has released a new report addressing key changes and shifts taking place in public purchasing today.

The report — based on a survey of 668 procurement professionals and key decision makers from state, county and city agencies, including school and special districts nationwide — provides insights to businesses seeking contracts with these units of government.

In the report, agencies describe their current contracting environment as generally healthy and improving.  39% of the survey respondents expect growth in bid volumes in the next 12 months.  The report notes the “recent surge in demand for infrastructure bids stemming from the $200 billion in tax initiatives for these projects approved by voters nationwide in November.”

The increase in opportunities is contrasted with agency staff’s collective recognition that the formal bid/RFP process is “one of the most challenging aspects of their job, particularly in the areas of research, planning and specifications.”  State and local government procurement teams report that since last year there has been an increase in the share of procurement staff that are stretched or overworked.  Onvia notes that when purchasing staffs are overworked it has a negative impact on businesses who have to navigate through poorly worded bid language, adding preparation time for bidders.

Given the current purchasing environment, Onvia’s report contains a number of meaningful observations for businesses in pursuit of contracts with state, local, and educational (SLED) institutions.  Among the observations:

  • The most successful government contractors do not wait around for a bid or RFP to be issued but are actively building constructive, consultative relationships with government agencies. Without demanding loyalty or future business, these proactive companies will offer helpful advice to busy, overworked buyers about market or product trends, best practices and pricing guidelines that can help procurement staff during the critical pre-bid phase of research and planning.
  • Forward-thinking and proactive contractors should pay attention to these trends and consider how to be sensitive to buyer and user needs in their outreach, communications and project management. Where there is greater uncertainty, stress or confusion on the buying side, vendors that become known for working well with agency teams as valued partners can help differentiate themselves and earn more business even if they are not typically the lowest-priced option.

A free copy of the complete survey results and report can be downloaded at: https://www.onvia.com/market-research/surveys/survey-government-procurement-professionals-2017

 

Here are the Georgia businesses who won federal contracts in Nov. 2016

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Ever wonder who’s winning federal contracts in Georgia?

Wouldn’t this information be helpful if you are looking for subcontracting prospects?  Or when you’re trying to figure out who your competitors are?  Or when considering who might be a good partner on an upcoming bid proposal?

Federal Contract Award Winners in GeorgiaEach and every month, the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) compiles and publishes a list of federal contracts awarded to Georgia businesses.  The list comes complete with point-of-contact information on the awardees, the name of the awarding agency, the dollar value of the contract, and much more.

Download details on the latest federal contract award winners in Georgia for NOVEMBER 2016 right here: federal-contract-awards-in-georgia-nov-2016

Georgia contract award winners who won federal contracts in earlier months of 2016 are listed here:

Georgia contract award winners who won federal contracts in each of the months in 2015 are listed below:

To see award winners in Calendar Year 2014, see: http://gtpac.org/2015/01/here-are-the-georgia-companies-who-won-federal-contracts-in-2014 

Here are the Georgia businesses who won federal contracts in Oct. 2016

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Ever wonder who’s winning federal contracts in Georgia?

Wouldn’t this information be helpful if you are looking for subcontracting prospects?  Or when you’re trying to figure out who your competitors are?  Or when considering who might be a good partner on an upcoming bid proposal?

Federal Contract Award Winners in GeorgiaEach and every month, the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) compiles and publishes a list of federal contracts awarded to Georgia businesses.  The list comes complete with point-of-contact information on the awardees, the name of the awarding agency, the dollar value of the contract, and much more.

Download details on the latest federal contract award winners in Georgia for OCTOBER 2016 right here: FEDERAL CONTRACT AWARDS IN GEORGIA – OCT. 2016

Georgia contract award winners who won federal contracts in earlier months of 2016 are listed here:

Georgia contract award winners who won federal contracts in each of the months in 2015 are listed below:

To see award winners in Calendar Year 2014, see: http://gtpac.org/2015/01/here-are-the-georgia-companies-who-won-federal-contracts-in-2014 

Here are the Georgia businesses who won federal contracts in Sept. 2016

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Ever wonder who’s winning federal contracts in Georgia?

Wouldn’t this information be helpful if you are looking for subcontracting prospects?  Or when you’re trying to figure out who your competitors are?  Or when considering who might be a good partner on an upcoming bid proposal?

Federal Contract Award Winners in GeorgiaEach and every month, the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) compiles and publishes a list of federal contracts awarded to Georgia businesses.  The list comes complete with point-of-contact information on the awardees, the name of the awarding agency, the dollar value of the contract, and much more.

Download details on the latest federal contract award winners in Georgia (for SEPTEMBER 2016) right here: FEDERAL CONTRACT AWARDS IN GEORGIA – SEPT. 2016

Georgia contract award winners who won federal contracts in earlier months of 2016 are listed here:

Georgia contract award winners who won federal contracts in each of the months in 2015 are listed below:

To see award winners in Calendar Year 2014, see: http://gtpac.org/2015/01/here-are-the-georgia-companies-who-won-federal-contracts-in-2014 

Marines could do a better job on small biz contracts, IG says

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Marine Corps Systems Command is failing to adequately ensure small business contractors get access to defense contracts, according to an Inspector General’s report.

Marine CorpsThe report found that the Quantico, Virginia-based command had not ensured small business contractors had opportunities to subcontract on 12 prime contracts valued at $221 million, offered no compliance tracking on four contracts, did not follow up on large businesses not meeting small business-goals and awarded contracts without subcontracting plans.

“As a result, small businesses may have been denied subcontracting opportunities that large businesses were required to make a good faith effort to provide,” the report said. “In addition, MCSC contracting officials did not determine whether the prime contractors are making good faith efforts to comply with negotiated subcontracting goals and whether liquidated damages should be assessed.”

Keep reading this article at: http://www.federaltimes.com/story/government/acquisition/2015/11/16/marines-could-do-better-job-small-biz-contracts-ig-says/75874242/

 

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