From the PTAC Director's Desk

10/24/06: Bidding and Proposal Basics Coastal Carolina Community College, Jacksonville         10/24/06: Finding Government Contracts on the Internet Statesville       Many more events... First, I would like to thank all of you who submitted your Awards Survey. As you may know, I have to send this information to Defense Logistics Agency twice a year. No company names go with the report, just the cumulative data. Again, you have had a very significant first half of the year. We were slightly below our numbers for last year at this time, but still an excellent showing. I am predicting that we will see a slow down in DoD contracting. The “surge buying” that has accompanied the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan is slowing as the war fighting machine has now caught up with the initial needs. Even though there will be a slow down, there are still excellent opportunities as the military maintains the current level of need. Timing is still very good to market to the DoD, so work with your local PTAC Counselor to get your “foot in the door” at a military installation. Read More...

Protecting Proprietary Information in Proposals

In our age of rapid technological advancement, government agencies are constantly seeking new and innovative ways to address their problems.  Nowhere is this issue more evident than the federal government.  From battling cancer to securing our borders, the federal government relies on the business community for solutions.  However, meeting these needs can also open your company to the possible loss of your greatest asset, your company’s proprietary information.

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Success Story: Mt. Airy Paint Store

Mike Butler purchased the Mt. Airy Paint Store in 2004.  The paint store, which had been established in 1948, had suffered declining sales and Mike knew that even with a 50-plus year history in Mt. Airy, the future of the business was not guaranteed.

Mike initially contacted a general business counselor at the Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) for assistance with his business plan and ideas for making his business competitive.  Mike upgraded the store’s inventory, extended the hours of operation, and began to aggressively market the business.  His efforts paid off and sales increased 60% in the first year of business. Mike contacted the SBTDC again in early 2006 to obtain marketing assistance and the general business counselor recommended that he consider selling his products to government entities as a means to increase sales. 

A procurement counselor with the NC Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) met Mike at his store to discuss how he might be able to increase his sales with government contracts.  The procurement counselor helped Mike register his company with North Carolina’s E-Procurement System and Vendor Link, and then showed him how to find bid opportunities posted on the Interactive Purchasing System. 

Read more about Mt. Airy Paint Shop's success with NC PTAC...

Acquisition of Foreign Products

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Supplier Diversity Training Success

2006 Supplier Diversity Training attendees listen to one of the dynamic speakers.

Small Business Liaison Officers (SBLO) and Diversity Managers from across the United States converged on Corning Cable Headquarters in Hickory on Tuesday, October 3rd for a one-day supplier diversity training workshop.  Participants came from Pennsylvania, Colorado, South Carolina, Florida, California, Virginia, Indiana, New Jersey and from around North Carolina.

During the 8-hour workshop attendees learned about subcontracting plans, federal reporting requirements, preparing for program reviews, federal preference programs, Small Business Administration (SBA) resources, and how the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) provide service to prime contractors. 

Read more to learn about the event and how you can participate in 2007...

Major DOD Initiative has Vending Requirements

The U.S. Department of Defense, coalition members and the vendor community have begun implementation of an initiative designed to enhance efficiency in the management of property throughout the DoD supply chain.  Item Unique Identification (IUID) will have broad ranging implications for tracking items that have significant dollar value and those that are mission critical in nature.  The system will truly be a “cradle to grave” management tool. 

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