February 2017 - In This Issue:
Marketplace
ABOUT US

The SBTDC/PTAC Program's purpose is to generate employment and improve the general economic condition of the state by assisting  North Carolina companies including those eligible for business development programs for local, state and federal government contracts. We provide procurement technical assistance by offering no-fee and confidential counseling on selling your products and/or services to the appropriate local, state or federal government agency.
THE TEAM
MARK MILLS
PTAC Program Director
919.600.6096


GEORGE GRIFFIN
PTAC Counselor 
Greensboro / Winston-Salem
336.256.9302


REBECCA BARBOUR
PTAC Counselor
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
919.513.0623


NICK ECONOMOU
PTAC Counselor 
Charlotte
704.687.0443
 
 
TERRY STROUD
PTAC Counselor 
Fayetteville / Pembroke
910.672.1352


ARIANA BILLINGSLEY
PTAC Counselor 
Elizabeth City / Greenville / Wilmington
252.737.1369


NOAH ROBINS
PTAC Counselor 
Cullowhee / Asheville / Boone / Hickory
828.232.2290


ADDITIONAL SBTDC RESOURCES
ACCELERATE: A BLOG FOR CEOs OF MID-SIZED FIRMS
SBTDC's Strategy and Growth Services blog, Accelerate, helps CEOs of mid-sized companies make business and leadership improvements through helpful insight, resources, and tools.
Learn more »


TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION SERVICES
The SBTDC's Technology Commercialization Services team provides business counseling to small to mid-sized business owners, university researchers, and entrepreneurs looking to advance their innovations to the marketplace.
Learn more »


INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The SBTDC's International Business Development Specialists assists small and mid-sized businesses with export planning and exporting.
 Learn more »
Director's Corner
By Mark G. Mills, SBTDC/PTAC Program Director at North Carolina State University
Small Business Administration (SBA) Dynamic Small Business Search Database
As I'm out and about across the state I run into business associates at outreach events and discussions come up about the SBA's "Dynamic Small Business Search Database" (DSBS).  DSBS is another tool contracting officers use to identify potential small business contractors for upcoming contracting opportunities. Small businesses can also use DSBS to identify other small businesses for teaming and joint venturing.  We want you to have the best profile you can as a small business in North Carolina, so here are some things to look for in your own profile:  
  1. You should have a correct telephone number, correct email address and web address/webpage.
  2. Make sure you check the following boxes as appropriate, accepts credit cards and GSA advantage contracts.
  3. Check any certifications as they pertain to your business.
  4. Make sure you fill in the capabilities narrative, quick snapshot of what you do.
  5. Correct NAICS codes.
  6. Keywords as they pertain to the business.
  7. Performance History, this is no different than having past performance on your capability statement.
How do you make changes to your profile?    
  1. You can can go through www.sam.gov
  2. You can create an SBA General Login account here
Is the GSA Schedule Program Right For You? 
By Nick Economou, SBTDC-PTAC Counselor at UNC-Charlotte
You just met with a buyer at a federal agency and you convinced them that your product or service will solve the agencies problem.  The buyer then asks for your GSA Contract Number.  You're puzzled by the question and ask, "What is that?"  Or, you say to the buyer, "I don't have one, but I will get one tomorrow."  To your dismay, you find out that it takes anywhere from 6 months to a year to obtain your GSA Contract Number.

The GSA Schedules Program is a program of the U.S. General Services Administration.  The program awards approximately $40 billion worth of goods and services.  For federal agencies and some states and local governments, the program is a fast, easy, effective contracting vehicle that provides access to millions of commercial products and services at volume discount pricing.

A key reason for the success of the program is that federal buyers do not have to post their requirements on fedbizops.  Instead, they can choose from a variety of preapproved contracts of off GSA Advantage.  


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PTAC Client Success Stories
Lain Consulting, LLC
By Nick Economou, SBTDC/PTAC counselor at UNC-Charlotte
Lain Consulting LLC is an award winning, full service consulting firm specializing in establishing the nonprofit, nonprofit management consulting, small business certification services and government contracting. Established in 2004 in Charlotte, North Carolina by its owner and Chief Visionary Architect, LaPronda Spann, the company has been successful in the procurement of over $1.7 million in grants and contracts from public and private foundations and local government for local and regional clients as well as the company.

Since 2010, the Charlotte PTAC has worked with LaPronda in her transition from Corporate America into the company full-time, initially through the Kaufman's New Ventures FastTrac Entrepreneurship Program. In 2012, Lain Consulting LLC became fully operational as a full-time, full service consulting firm and began pursuing Minority and Woman Owned Business certifications and government contracts.

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SELLING TO THE GOVERNMENT

5 West Hargett St., Suite 600
Raleigh, NC 27601
919.600.5998
The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

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