Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

Top 10 areas of opportunity for state and local contracting

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Thanks to technology, government is becoming more efficient, cost effective and user centric. Agencies may not be building all the technology and software internally, but they are certainly procuring them.

In fact, state, local and education, or SLED, governments are increasing the number of bids and requests for proposal at a “historically strong pace over the past year,” according to GovWin+Onvia by Deltek’s “10 Hotspots in Government Contracting for 2018” report. It analyzed more than 4,000 unique industry smart tags to find the areas with the greatest rates of recent growth.

But this progress isn’t happening in every aspect of the marketplace. In fact, a small number of “hotspots” are growing at a faster pace than others, identifying major SLED themes in adopting technology, pursuing efficiency, improving education, enhancing safety, protecting the environment and addressing underfunded pensions.

To see the 10 hotspots, and the growth measured from 2016 to 2017, click here: https://www.governmentciomedia.com/top-10-areas-opportunity-state-and-local-contracting

A slide in capital spending by states and local governments

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Capital spending by state and local governments around the U.S. has been on the decline, with jurisdictions pushing off infrastructure costs into future years.

That’s according to a report the credit ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service issued last week. The ratings agency looks at U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis figures and says the information suggests an “ongoing buildup of deferred infrastructure maintenance.”

This comes as costs tied to areas like public employee pensions and education continue to put pressure on many state and local budgets.

If states and localities had maintained 2009 capital investment levels, they would have invested an additional amount of roughly $685 billion in the past seven years, or about 27 percent more than the $2.5 trillion spent during that time, according to Moody’s.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.routefifty.com/finance/2017/10/capital-investment-state-local-infrastructure-moodys/141628/

 

USG holding annual procurement expo in Savannah on Oct. 24

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The University System of Georgia (USG) invites all vendors to come to the 11th USG Procurement Expo — this year hosted by Armstrong State University in Savannah, Georgia.

At USG Procurement Expo 2017 you will explore business opportunities with the University System of Georgia. Network with federal, state, and local agencies and prime construction management firms.

The luncheon program will highlight business opportunities with Georgia’s ports, Chatham County, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, and the City of Savannah.

Other features of this year’s event:

  • Includes sessions on navigating the procurement process of the University System of Georgia. Meet buyers and contracting officers from the public colleges and universities of the State of Georgia.
  • Network with representatives from the Georgia Department of Administrative Services, Georgia Department of Transportation, federal, state, and local government agencies.
  • Meet prime construction management firms currently working with the University System of Georgia.

SCHEDULE – Tuesday, October 24, 2017

8:30AM Registration

10:00AM Morning Session

Navigating the University System of Georgia procurement process in the areas of construction projects, facilities management, and general procurement

General Procurement

  • Moderator: Ms. Daphne Burch, USG Procurement Expo 2017 Co-chair and Procurement Director, Armstrong State University

Construction/Facilities Management

  • Moderator: Ms. Katie Twining, Associate Vice President fo Facilities,     Georgia Southern University

12:15PM Luncheon Program

This year we will explore business opportunities with the Savannah ports and shipping industry.

  • Moderator: Mr. Vince “The Voice” Bailey, Vince Bailey Productions

Luncheon Panel:

  • Mr. Bart Gobeil, Senior Director of Economic Development and Government Affairs, Georgia Ports Authority
  • Ms. Peggy Joyner, CPPO, Purchasing Director, Chatham County Purchasing & Contracting
  • Ms. MarRonde Lumpkin-Lotson, SEC Administrator, Savannah Entrepreneurial Center
  • Ms. Sabrina Scales, Director of Finance and Business, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System

2:00PM Exhibits Open

Visit with procurement officials from the University System of Georgia, federal, state, and local agencies, and prime construction management firms.

Location:

Armstrong State University

Armstrong Center
13040 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31419

Hotel Information:

When registering, please mention that you are attending an event at Armstrong State University and would like the Armstrong rate.

Fairfield Inn I-95 South, 17027 Abercorn Street, Savannah 31419 – Call 912-925-5050 for the Armstrong Rate: $91

Springhill Suites by Marriott, 11317 Abercorn Street, Savannah – Call 912-920-3784 for the Armstrong Rate: $96

TownPlace Suites by Marriott, 11309 Abercorn Street, Savannah – Call 912-920-9080 for the Armstrong Rate: $84

Cancellation Policy:

Due to pre-registration costs and guarantees, refunds or credits are not extended for this event. However, registrations are transferable. On the day of the event, the substitute attendee must present a copy of the registration receipt or email verification to be admitted to the event.

Photo Release:

By registering for this event, I grant to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia the right to take photographs of me and my property in connection with the USG Procurement Expo. I authorize the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to use and publish the same in print and/or electronically. I agree that the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia may use such photographs of me with or without my name and for any lawful purpose including, for example, such purposes as publicity and web content.

Use this link to Register Now!

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

 

Where state and local governments are upping their procurement

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State and local government agencies saw the number of bids and RFPs for improved medical equipment grow 21 percent in 2016, more than any other contracting area, fueled by high health care costs and an aging boomer population.

According to the “10 Hotspots in Government Contracting for 2017” report released Thursday by Seattle-based business commercial intelligence company Onvia, medical equipment bids and requests for proposal increased from 1,491 in 2015 to 1,798 last year.

The medical equipment industry is worth $484 billion worldwide, and demand for new devices at public hospitals and health centers in the U.S. is meant to boost efficiency and prevention as patients capitalize on expanded access to insurance.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.routefifty.com/management/2017/02/stat-local-government-procurement/135681/

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

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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.

Local government contracting opportunities rebounding

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Government state, local and education (SLED) contracting opportunities grew slightly in the third quarter of 2015, the first positive quarter in five, a promising sign for next year, according to a new Onvia report.

Local Govt Contracting 2015-16The Seattle-based government business intelligence company’s procurement snapshot shows SLED bid and request for proposal (RFP) activity increased .3 percent after a “noticeable decline” at the end of 2014.

Bids have been limited by the rise of cooperative purchasing and the sharing of contracts across agencies—and don’t expect the use of that cost-saving measure to decrease.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.routefifty.com/2015/11/local-government-contracting-opportunities/123994/

Also see:

How vendors can make the most of state & local procurement opportunities – http://gtpac.org/2015/10/14/how-vendors-can-make-the-most-of-state-local-procurement-opportunities/

State, local government IT spending increase is an opportunity for contractors – http://gtpac.org/2014/08/29/state-local-government-it-spending-increase-is-an-opportunity-for-contractors/

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