Pansy McCamie started her business, McCamie’s Trash Removal, in 1994 -- a Woman- and Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (W/MBE). Being the savvy business owner she is she says, “I know enough about doing business with the government to know how important it is to have a SB Preference Program designation in order to be considered a preferred vendor for Federal Government contracts.” So having learned about the Federal HUBZone Program, she applied for HUBZone Certification and was approved as a HUBZone Business in March of 2000. Knowing she could also apply for the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Certification, she began the application process in 2004, but got no where with it. So when she heard of the Procurement Technical Assistant Center’s (PTAC) services to assist small businesses with the 8(a) application process, Pansy didn’t hesitate to ask for their help.
“The PTAC Counselor met with me several times providing hands-on direction to help me accomplish the paperwork. As difficult as it was,” Pansy continued, “the PTAC counselor simplified the task, walking me through it and kept me on track!
PTAC will explain how the process works; provide hand-outs and web site information for businesses to navigate through the arduous paperwork and on-line application process for getting 8(a) certified. Pansy learned the importance for having solid past performance, and an established system for cost accounting procedures. Plus the administrative assistance that PTAC provides helped Pansy meet SBA’s requirements.
“PTAC provided the expertise I needed in writing the disadvantage justification, completing the on-line application, and even called SBA’s San Francisco point-of-contact to ensure the application would meet the SBA directives. The PTAC Counselor knew the requirements needed to win certification. The assistance I received, especially with editing and reviewing my work, saved me valuable time and a lot of unnecessary frustration!” Pansy continued saying, “the PTAC counselor has provided other great services such as helping me apply for my NC HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) certification that the State recognizes for disadvantaged W/MBE. PTAC services are invaluable!”
McCamie’s Trash Removal was officially awarded their 8(a) Certification on March 5th this year. And already she’s been assigned a SBA Counselor who will meet with her one-on-one, provide training programs at no cost, and assist with Letters of Reservation for 8(a) set aside contract opportunities. And to top-it-off with more good news, McCamie’s Trash Removal was recently awarded the HUBZone set aside Waste Removal Contract at Homestead AFB, FL—a five-year contract!
Congratulations to McCamie’s Trash Removal for all its success!