Government Procurement and eCommerce

Q. The daily bid match system offered by the PTACs is an extremely valuable and free tool for small businesses. The service is delivered via email to subscribers. Describe the bid match system offered by the PTACs.

A. Bob Imoff - Most PTACs utilize the Softshare Bid Match System to locate opportunities for regional companies.

A. Robert Brown - Once a client contacts us, we work to identify keywords and capabilities to provide a daily bid match service which the client receives daily through and automated email system.

Q. In addition to the bid match system, the PTACs offer resources to help small businesses research government markets. Can you mention a few of these resources?

A. Bob Imoff - Following enrollment of a new client in the Northcentral PTAC system it has been my procedure to supply the company with a CD containing links to various contracting agencies broken down by DOD, Federal, State and Other to eliminate the number of hours that a company could potentially spend researching information.

A. Robert Brown - Businesses can become involved simply by requesting assistance . They become a client by calling 570-524-4491 or visiting “http://www.sedacog. org/PTAC” and completing an online request for assistance. We help businesses in a variety of ways – and each is personalized towards their specifi c needs. We have approximately 500 clients. Last year we held over 20 training events and partnered with groups like the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and federal prison system. The federal government is a $300 billion market not to mention opportunities available through state and local governments.

Q. The DOD eMall is an exciting new project for small purchases under $3000. How does a small business become a vendor at the eMall and does that business need a website to catalog its products and services?

A. Bob Imoff - Web presence is vital to any business in the new global economy and while it is not mandated by the DOD e-Mall system, it enhances the potential for companies to be contacted by government buyers.

The DOD EMALL strives to be the single web-based entry point for military and federal agency purchasers to fi nd and acquire off-the-shelf, finished goods and services, from the commercial marketplace and government sources

A. Robert Brown - The DOD eMall is for companies that want to sell commercial of the shelf products and services to agencies like the Army, Navy and Department of Homeland Security. We help companies get set up with catalog and the procedures vary. We help companies through the process.