Director's Corner

Happy New Year, the North Carolina PTAC looks forward to serving you in 2012!

Lately I’ve been hearing much said about buying American made products or buying North Carolina made products. You might be wondering how this ties into local, state or federal contracting, but it does, as those businesses that win contracts have to make decisions everyday managing their supply chain to fulfill the requirements of the contract in some capacity.

I was reading about the North Carolina 10% Campaign and found it interesting. I thought, what if all the North Carolina manufacturing businesses pledged to spend 10 percent or more of their supply chain budget on North Carolina products or services? What would be the impact?

So, in this New Year I ask you to please consider using North Carolina businesses. If you require assistance finding North Carolina businesses, please feel free to contact me at (828) 345 -1115 and I will do my very best finding you a North Carolina business to help you meet the requirements of your contract and/or subcontract.

Here are additional links addressing the North Carolina 10% Campaign:

• North Carolina 10% Campaign

• Most recent article about the NC 10% campaign can be found at www.farmanddairy.com

“North Carolina 10% Campaign reports local food spending at $10 million”

Save the Date!

Opportunities 2012
March 19 | The Grove Park Inn, Asheville www.sbtdc.org/events/opportunities  

Thank you,
Mark G. Mills
NC SBTDC/PTAC Program Director

Taking a Closer Look at Executive Order 50

By NC PTAC Counselor Clark Fields

One emerging trend in state and local contracting has been a greater emphasis on providing preference to local bidders.  In North Carolina, this has taken the form of Executive Order 50.  Most contractors are familiar with its rule that allows North Carolina companies whose bids are within 5 percent or $10,000 to match an out-of-state low bidder.  However, beyond this, many businesses are not familiar with additional provisions that make up this law.

In this article you will learn:

• why NC preference does not apply to all contracts

• what it means to be an NC resident firm

• how NC preference changes the bidding process.

• details about Executive Order 50

Take a closer look at Executive Order 50...

Is this proposal right for my company?

By NC PTAC Counselor George Griffin

With reduced staffing and increased competition the cost of submitting a bid is getting more attention. The following steps and questions may help you filter your opportunities:

• Read the solicitation multiple times.

• Identify what the government is looking for.

• Can you provide what the government wants?

• Can you be responsive and submit the required documents in the required format on time?

• Will your product or service be technically acceptable to the customer?

• Will your past performance instill confidence in the buyer?

• Will you be price competitive and still be able to make a profit?

• Do you have a past relationship with the agency?

• What are your advantages over the competition?

Now you may feel better with your decision to bid or pass on this opportunity.

Small Business Teaming — Strategies for Success

by PTAC Counselor Rebecca Barbour

In the latest installment of our teaming series, Teaming through Prime and Subcontracting, we will begin examining the different forms that teaming arrangements can take, starting with prime and subcontract relationships and teaming agreements.

You will learn:

• the definition of "teaming arrangement" and "teaming agreement"

• Traditional Prime Contractor and Subcontractor Relationships

• Nontraditional Prime Contractor and Subcontractor Relationships

Learn about teaming...

PTAC Success Stories

NC PTAC has three small businesses success story. Below you will find information regarding each small business.

Home Energy Partners

by PTAC Counselor Clark Fields

Home Energy Partners is a 20 person company that specializes in insulation, heating and air conditioning design and diagnosis, and green building.  The company designs and installs systems that provide maximum efficiency and comfort, with minimal environmental impact.  Founded in 2003, the company is headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina.

In August 2011, the company attended a PTAC seminar to learn more about doing business with local, state and federal government.  They met with their local PTAC counselor to talk about completing necessary registrations and finding opportunities.  The company also subscribed to PROBID to follow contracting opportunities. 

Recently, Home Energy Partners identified a solicitation from the North Carolina State Energy Office’s Weatherization Assistance Program.  The business reviewed the solicitation with their PTAC counselor, who helped facilitate the creation of a joint venture with a local architecture firm.  After completing oral presentations in Raleigh for the contract, the joint venture was selected as one of three contractors to be used for the implementation of North Carolina’s weatherization program.      

Triad Solar Store, LLC

by NC PTAC Counselor George Griffin

Triad Solar Store, LLC was formed November 25, 2009 in Lexington, North Carolina. The owner Lindsay Dilley, with a strong background in industrial systems engineering, desired to help bring renewable energy and energy conservation technologies to everyday people across the Piedmont Triad and surrounding areas.

Most of 2010 was spent doing training, business planning and research. One of Lindsay’s first stops was to the office of North Carolina PTAC in Greensboro. Part of his marketing plan included doing business with the government. Lindsay received guidance in the registration processes, looking for opportunities, creating a capability statement and the importance of networking. It was suggested that Lindsay start government contracting at the local and state levels.

Learn more about their experience with NC PTAC and the success they've had with contracting with NC Community Colleges...

Triangle Technology Ventures

by NC PTAC Counselor Rebecca Barbour

Triangle Technology Ventures is an information technology company based in Raleigh, NC. Founded in 2011, TTV offers IT business consulting, management, and implementation services. Though relatively young, TTV is not short on experience. The company founder, Nawaf Marjan, has over 10 years of information technology and government contracting experience and a top secret security clearance. When he founded the company, Nawaf knew that state and federal contracting would be part of his sales strategy and a key part of his business plan. 

Nawaf met with PTAC in early 2011 to learn more about the processes and procedures involved in government contracting, including where to look for opportunities and how to market his business. After speaking with his PTAC counselor, he decided to take full advantage of the PTAC and SBTDC services and enrolled in the NxLeveL business planning class. Nawaf continued to work with his PTAC counselor for assistance with market research, finding contracting opportunities, and understanding government small business programs. He also attended multiple PTAC events, including Marketplace 2011, where he was able to make connections with many information technology prime contractors interested in his subcontracting services.

Nawaf’s dedication to government contracting is already paying off. TTV was just awarded a multi-year contract to support the North Carolina Department of Justice’s videoconferencing systems. “The PTAC has been an invaluable resource for us,” he said.  “I look forward to their continued support as we add to our roster of government customers and build relationships with local prime contractors, teaming partners, and state and federal agencies.”

2012 looks to be a great year for TTV, Nawaf, and his PTAC counselor!