Government Procurement and eCommerce

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Government Procurement and eCommerce
Part of a educational series presented in part with a grant from the
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

Q. Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) offer substantial assistance to small businesses looking to enter the government market: obtaining bids; procurement histories; contact people at government facilities – the list is almost endless. Talk a little about the PTACs – your mission, how you are funded and educational opportunities.

A. Bob Imoff - North Central is funded under a cooperative grant from the Defense Logistics Agency with matching funds provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Enterprise Development Program. The PTAC mission is to locate contracting opportunities, educate companies on the procedures for working with the multitude of different contracting activities in the DOD, Federal and State and to assist client/companies with issues from quality control to the latest technology requirements such as RFID.

A. Robert Brown - There are 93 PTACs throughout the United States. Seda COG’s service area is 18 counties within Central PA. We assist small and large business in government contracting by helping with reviewing solicitations; training and technical assistance; online bidding resources and we walk them through the process of government registrations. We help business get on right track within the federal, state and local government contracting processes and most importantly help them identify which agency or agencies are most likely to use their products and services.

We help larger businesses, too, with subcontracting requirements. Contracts that are $550,000 or more require small business participation as are construction contracts over $1 million. We help these businesses locate small, women and disadvantaged businesses to help them fulfi ll their subcontracting requirements.

Lets talk about specific examples where an internet connection is vital to engage in the government procurement process.

A. Bob Imoff - A few examples are on-line registrations, market research, invoicing, DLA DIBBS Boards (Note: The DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) is a supplier’s one-stop website for viewing solicitations and awards for DLA Business Systems Modernization (BSM) items. This system is separate and distinct from the current DSCC Internet Bid Board and the Procurement Gateway Systems. DLA DIBBS is a web-based application that provides the capability to search for, view, and submit secure quotes on Requests For Quotations (RFQs) for BSM items. DLA DIBBS also allows users to search and view Request For Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations For Bid (IFBs), awards, award modifi cations and other procurement-related information.)

A. Robert Brown - Internet connections are vital in many ways. Central Contracting Registration is an online process for federal contracting. Similarly, there is an online registration process for the Commonwealth of PA. The Dynamic Small Business Search is an online yellow pages for buyers look for small buisness vendors. There is an online certifi cation for disadvantaged business and VET BIZ for veterans to maximize opportunities for veterans. Large and small businesses alike use an internet connection to download specs; access the internet bid board; receive information from the daily bid match service via email.