March 28,  2017
NBDC PTAC Newsletter  
 
The Nebraska Business Development Center - Procurement Technical Assistance Center provides technical assistance and training to Nebraska businesses selling goods or services to the government
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samprofile
SBA Awards Funding to Organizations Offering Entrepreneurship Training to Women Veterans and Military Spouses
Source: sba.gov   

The U.S. Small Business Administration this week announced the awarding of $300,000 in Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program grants to three organizations offering small business development resources to women veterans and military spouses.

The funding opportunity, offered by SBA's Office of Veterans Business Development, supports each organization's entrepreneurial training programs for women who are veterans, service members, and spouses of veterans and service members. Each awardee was chosen based on their demonstrated history of and commitment to providing training programs and resources to women.

"Increasingly, women small business owners are contributing in a major way to the growth of the U.S. economy, and women veterans bring a unique and valued skill set to entrepreneurship," SBA Administrator Linda McMahon said. "Funding these organizations involved in helping women veterans and military spouses establish successful businesses will go a long way towards securing the future for these women and their families."    
   
To read the full press release  click here.    
topfed
FAS Aims to Refresh Multiple Award Schedules in April
Source:  Federal Times by Carten Cordell

The Federal Acquisition Service is moving to launch a "refresh" of its Multiple Awards Schedule next month, applying recent rules changes to its largest buying program.

On a March 22 conference call, FAS officials said the refresh could roll out in the middle of April and would include:

...Small Business Subcontracting Changes

Following Federal Acquisition Regulation changes made in November 2016 related to small business subcontracting, FAS will issue several policy adjustments, including:

  • Requirements for prime contractors to make good faith efforts to use small business subcontractors during a contract at the same level they were relied on in bidding for the contract.
  • Authorizing contracting officers to calculate subcontracting goals in total contract dollars as well as the required goals in terms of total subcontracted dollars. This allows the officers to attribute subcontracts toward total contract performance, including a proportionate share of indirect costs.
  • Allowing for contraction officer discretion to call for a subcontracting plan when a small business refiles its size larger than a small business designation.
  • Requiring subcontracting plans when modifications to the contract exceed its threshold, even if those modifications still fall under the subcontracting threshold.
  • A new requirement for prime contracts with subcontracting plans on task and delivery order contracts to report order level subcontracting info after November. GSA officials said this requirement was not effective until November.

To read the full press release click here. 
SBAcyber
Be Prepared: GWACs, IDIQs Will Grow in This Age of Uncertainty   
Source:  Washington Technology by Mark Amtower   

... One question contractors need to be asking is how to maintain market share in this age of uncertainty.

One possible bright spot are GWACs and IDIQs.

As new programs and projects will be on hold for the foreseeable future, agencies will be turning to contracts that are in place. As has been noted by Bloomberg Government and my research, GWACs and other IDIQs like OASIS have experienced significant growth over the past few years.

...To fully leverage GWACs and other easy-to-access (from the government buyer point of view) contracts, you need to create your own advantage, not wait for someone to level the playing field.

To read the full press release click here. 
  CVE 
CVE's Veteran-Owned Firms Receive Automatic One Year Extension on Eligibility Period  
Source:  aptac.com
 
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has changed the verification eligibility for the Veterans First Contracting Program from a 24 month period to a 36 month period.  Participants must now submit a re-verification application only every three (3) years to continue eligibility.

As a result of this change, effective March 21, 2017 all currently verified participants will receive an automatic one (1) year extension on their current eligibility period, beginning on the date of expiration.  This change will be reflected in the firm's VIP profile, but updated approval letters will not be sent.
 
 
To read the full press release  click here.   
In This Issue
MarketMarketing Your Business and Selling to the Go vernment Made E asy 
 
Learn the basic information yo u nee d to increase sales through gover nmen t contracting.  This down-t o -ea rth workshop will show you how to fi nd opportunities, register and do busines s with public age nc ies.  
Instructors Mary Graff, contracting specialist, NBDC, and Michael Hall, small business specialist, OFFUTT AFB, will offer one-on-one assistance after workshop to make it happen for your business. 

Date: April 12, 2017 & 2nd Wednesday of every month.
Time
: 8:30-10:30am
Location : Greater Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce Bellevue University Bell Tower Bldg, 1102 S Galvin Rd.
 
This event is free, but registration is required. For registration contact Mary Graff at 402-554-6254 or via email mgraff@unomaha.edu
WinningWinnWinning Federal Contracts for Your Small Business 

In this introductory workshop, in four steps, you'll learn how to conquer the federal government contracting arena and win contracts for your business.

Presenters: Lisa Tedesco (SBA), Mike Hall (OFFUTT AFB), and Mary Graff (NBDC PTAC Consultant).

You will learn:
1. How to find the appropriate NAICS codes and determine if yours is a small business by federal standards
2. How to find bidding opportunities
3. How to register for various federal government registrations, especially SAM
4. How to market your business to federal agencies and prime contractors

Date: April 20, 2017 & 3rd Thursday of every month.
Time: 8:30-11:00am
Location: U.S. Small Business Administration Nebraska District Office, 10675 Bedford Ave. Ste. 100, Omaha, NE.

This event is free, but registration is required. To register click here.
Joint
Western Nebraska Procurement Conference 
 March 29, 2017

NE PTAC is excited to be holding the Meet The Buyers event for the first time in the western part of the state.  This event will take place in Scottsbluff at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center.  Features include:
  • Meet one-on-one with federal buyers and prime contractors
  • Learn about upcoming projects and business opportunities
  • Learn how to increase business sales through government contracting
  • Gain knowledge on how to improve the success of your proposals
  • Meet with a local PTAC consultant
   To register click here.  
Washington
Save the Date!!! 
3rd Annual Mentor-Protégé Program Conference in Washington, DC  
May 9-11, 2017

 
Learn how to do business with the government, meet other mentors and protégés, participate in business matchmaking, hear from industry leaders, and lots more!

Full details coming soon! 
 
SAME
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Industry Days  
May 9-10, 2017

 
The 2017 SAME Industry Day will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Downtown Omaha. Event topics include keynote speaker Jackie Robinson-Burnette from the US Small Business Administration, a contracting update, an opportunity briefing, a VA panel and more. 

To view the agenda and to register, click here. 
DOEExpo
16th Annual DOE Small Business Forum & Expo, May 16-18, 2017
 
The U.S. Department of Energy is presenting this exciting event that focuses on taking your business to the next level.  Topics include:
  • Intro to DOE contract purchasing team
  • How to do business with the DOE
  • Guide to disappearing decision-makers
  • Making your debriefing count
  • How to competitively respond to a sources sought or a RFI
  • Panel with successful small businesses and DOE protégés working within the DOE
This event will be held at the Kansas City Sheraton at Crown Center in Kansas City, MO. 

To view the agenda and to register, click here.
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