The U.S. Government is the largest procurer of goods and services in the world spending $400 to $500 billion annually. During fiscal year 2008, the federal Government awarded in excess of $93 billion in prime contracts to small businesses; $83.2 billion for fiscal year 2007. Recent studies have shown that small businesses that participate in the federal market have withstood the current economic climate, and many have even grown, in spite of the economic downturn.
In order to help small businesses participate in this market, the U.S. Small Business Administration will be hosting a series of webinars monthly on Doing Business with the Federal Government. These webinars are designed to provide prospective small businesses an understanding of the process of engaging federal agencies as clients, as well as to provide the tools needed to penetrate this growing market.
Scheduled Topics
- March 16, 2010 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Know the Rules (Federal Acquisition Regulations [FAR])
- April: Marketing Strategies: (Federal Procurement Data System, FedBizOpps, & Procurement Forecasts)
- May: Preparing Your Offer
- June: Getting Paid
- July: Certification Programs: 8(a) Business Development and the HUBZone Programs
- August: Contract Award / Access to Capital / The Certificate of Competency Program
- September: Joint Ventures and Teaming Arrangements
- October: GSA Schedules
- November: Veterans Programs
- December: Subcontracting with Large Business Primes
These webinars will feature participation by key federal agencies explaining how to do market to these organizations. Confirmed participants include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, General Services Administration, and Defense Logistics Agency. Other featured presenters will include representatives from the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), which can provide assistance to small businesses in this market.
Your will be able to participate in these interactive webinars without leaving the comfort of your home or office. To access these seminars, you will need a computer with internet access and a telephone.
How to Participate:
• Register for classes
• Receive your web access code, toll free telephone number and presentation material via e-mail;
• Sign-on and dial-in
• View, listen, learn and ask questions!
To register, please contact Paula Watts (paula.watts@sba.gov, 610-382-3086); George Murray (george.murray@sba.gov, 610-382-3083); or John Banks (john.banks@sba.gov, 610-382-3087).
