September 2017 - In This Issue:
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


SCOTT BARKER
PTAC Counselor 
Elizabeth City / Greenville / Wilmington
252.737.1369

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:
Working with FEMA and Disaster Recovery Operations
By Mark G. Mills, SBTDC/PTAC Program Director at North Carolina State University
Now is this time to be prepared to work with local, state and federal governments.  There are steps you can take to be ready to go to work during and after a natural disaster.  Disaster recovery operations need vendors that can clear debris, provide facility support services; furnish necessary supplies, and much more. Different aspects of the recovery operations may be led by the federal government through FEMA, state government emergency response programs, and city or county emergency response programs.

CONTRACTING WITH FEMA
  1. Register in SAM
  2. Review the FEMA Small Business Program
  3. Register in the FEMA Industry Liaison Program
  4. For contract opportunities over $25K, create an account in FedBizOpps
  5. For contract opportunities under $25K, create an account with FedBid  
 
CONTRACTING WITH THE STATE OF NC
  1. Register in NC E-Procurement System
  2. Register in NC Vendor Link system
  3. Become Prequalified with the NC Department of Transportation
  4. Monitor the NC HUB Office website for RFPs and updates
  5. Review State Emergency Management programs and procedures
 
CONTRACTING WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
  1. Register with your city/county purchasing programs
  2. Register as a Debris Removal contractor
  3. Monitor the NC HUB office website for RFPs and updates
  4. Review County Emergency Management programs and procedures
 
FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE

PTAC counselors can help you understand and effectively register to do business with state and federal government units (i.e. SAM, FEMA, FedBizopps, NC DOT, etc.). We can also help you understand and prepare for Requests for Proposal (RFPs) from local, state and federal governments. Contact you nearest PTAC counselor to learn more about how we can help make improve your governmental sales and make your business better.

Small Business Administration (SBA)
  
Is your business prepared to operate during and after a natural disaster, now is the time to prepare? You can find information to help you prepare on the SBA website https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage/prepare-emergencies-disaster-assistance.

Emergency Preparedness
  • Disaster Checklist and tips
  • Disaster Assistance Loans
  • Other Sources of Disaster Aid
  • Disaster Clean Up
Cybersecurity
 
By Rebecca Barbour, SBTDC/PTAC Counselor at North Carolina State University
Cybersecurity is a topic that continues to receive a lot of attention and discussion, particularly for federal contractors. The newest version of the DFARS clause, 252.204-7012 "Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting" has many small business concerned as we approach the December 2017 deadline for compliance. If you are a small business engaged in defense contracts, or are considering entering that market, it is important to understand what this clause and its requirements may mean for your business. 

Brief History

It is important to understand that cybersecurity requirements for contractors are not new. The 2013 version of DFARS 252.204-7012 required contractors to provide security for covered information and referenced NIST SP 800-53, which detailed cybersecurity requirements for federal information systems. As this publication was written for federal agencies and internal information systems, contractors faced challenges in interpreting and implementing these standards for their own systems... 

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SBA Seeking Input on Reducing Regulations
 
 
Public comments sought regarding regulations to repeal, replace, or modify
On August 15, 2017, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) released a request for information ("RFI") https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-08-15/pdf/2017-17176.pdf seeking input from the public as to which SBA regulations should be repealed, replaced, or modified because they are obsolete, unnecessary, ineffective, or burdensome.  Comments are requested on or before October 15, 2017.

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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.

Copyright © 2017. NC Small Business and Technology Development Center.  All Rights Reserved.