OCTOBER 2019
  "Cybersecurity Workshop: Are You at Risk? 
Thursday , October  31, 2019
8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
NEPA Alliance Procurement Technical Assistance Center
1151 Oak Street
Pittston, PA 18640
 
The Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) Alliance Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is conducting a free workshop on Cybersecurity. Subject matter expert, Kenn Anderson, Jr., Director of Managed Services of Ethixa Solutions, LLC, will review the relevant topics and provide steps to help you protect your business.
 
Did you know: T here were nearly 42,000  online security incidents around the world over the past year and about 43 percent of those targeted small businesses. This means that small businesses are more likely than any other entity to fall victim to data breaches and cyber-attacks. These incidents often lead to financial loss, stolen customer data, and compromised proprietary information. It is essential that you take steps to reduce your vulnerability to cyber-attacks, to minimize the impact of attacks, and prepare in advance for recovery (Source: SBA Newsletter 9/8/2019).
 
The Workshop will point out the issues a business will need to know to be able to protect the integrity of their clients, as well as business related data elements.
 
The Workshop will touch on topics such as, but not limited to: 
  • The Security Landscape (mobile devices - laptops - desktops - cloud)
  • Disasters and Risks
  • Improving Your Cybersecurity Against: Spyware, Ransomware, Viruses, Phishing
  • National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) Compliance Best Practices
Each Workshop attendee will receive a Cybersecurity Handbook.
 
Registration runs from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM. The Workshop will start promptly at 9:00 AM. After the Workshop, networking will be made available for those in attendance.
 
There is no cost to attend this event, but space will be limited to the first 25 registrants.

REGISTER NOW
    
For more Workshop information, please call the NEPA Alliance PTAC at 866-758-1929 or 570-655-5581.
  Proposal Writing Strategies & Tips Workshop
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance Procurement Technical Assistance Learning Center
1151 Oak Street, Pittston, PA 18640
Overview:

Writing a proposal is like crafting a persuasive essay or producing a report. This Workshop will provide guidance and advice to companies seeking to improve their likelihood of award. When it comes to government contract proposal writing, Dr. W. Nick Cline will provide guidance with management approaches, technical proposals, past performance, and simply showing attendees strategies and tips on how to write a proposal.
 
"Proposal writing is not difficult, but some people cannot visualize what they are writing, and that is the problem and the cure". Dr. W. Nick Cline
 
Agenda:
Introduction                 
Laying the Groundwork

Strategy                       

Putting Pen to Paper 

Common Mistakes     

Proposal Tips

 
Presenter:

Dr. W. Nick Cline is a principal at DCAA Consulting and Accounting Worldwide, Inc. The consulting group is in Warner Robins, Georgia. They are established and organized to provide a wide variety of services to government contractors who are bidding on contracts with the Department of Defense, as well as other government agencies. They work with their clients to assist in maintaining compliance with the strict and often complex government regulations.
 
Dr. Nick has worked in the private, public, educational, and health care systems after retiring from the United States Army Finance & Accounting Corps. DCAA Consulting and Accounting Worldwide, Inc. serves clients throughout the United States and abroad.
 
Registration will be from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM. The workshop will start promptly at 8:30 AM.
 
After the Workshop, networking will be made available for those in attendance.

There is no cost to attend this event, but space will be limited to the first 25 registrants.
 
 
 For more information, please call the NEPA Alliance PTAC at 866-758-1929 or 570-655-5581

Changes to FBO Website
Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) is moving to beta.SAM.gov the weekend of November 8, 2019. Until then, FBO.gov remains the authoritative source for Federal Solicitation Opportunities. 

Once FBO has full transitioned, you will be directed to beta.SAM.gov for contracting opportunities. You can visit beta.SAM.gov today to preview new features like saved searches and the ability to follow notices. 

For more information, please visit the beta.SAM.gov Learning Center.
New DIBBS Password Criteria
Due to a change in Department of Defense Security requirements, DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) has implemented a new password requirement, which was effective September 2019. The new rules involve how many characters must be changed each time a new password is created compared to the previous password.

Previously, the password criteria required four characters to be changed; however, the new requirement is eight characters. For ease of transition, below are all the requirements, including this new change for a DIBBS password.

DIBBS Password Format:
At a minimum, passwords must be at least fifteen characters long and can be as long as sixty characters.

Passwords must contain at least two characters from each of the following four classes:
1. English upper-case letters
2. English lower-case letters
3. Westernized Arabic numerals: 0123456789
4. Non-alphanumeric (special characters): @#$%^&+=!

Passwords must have no more than four upper and lower case letters in a row or four numbers in a row. The first three characters in the password must be different (i.e. "abc" not "aab", "abb", "bab", etc.).

Passwords cannot have more than one special character in a row.

Passwords cannot begin or end with an "!". An ampersand cannot be the first special character used in any position. It can be the second or subsequent special character used.

The new password must differ from the last ten passwords, and passwords are valid for sixty days.

New Password Criteria:
New passwords must differ from previous passwords by at least eight characters. A change from an upper to lower case and vice versa does not constitute a change.

Passwords should not contain words from any language (including English).

Passwords should be complex, but one which can easily be remembered.

Passwords should not contain personal information such as names, telephone numbers, account names, birthdates, or dictionary words.

When a new password is established, log-off, then log back on with the new password. This not only tests the password, but also logs account activity in DIBBS. Keep in mind, if your account was locked for inactivity, a password change by itself does not count as activity.

It is recommended to change passwords with Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox to avoid possible issues.
PA e Marketplace Solicitations
 

The following is a list of upcoming PA e-Marketplace procurements available from various Commonwealth agencies. Many of these solicitations may not yet be advertised. Refer to the solicitations section for those procurement opportunities available for response. You can access the solicitations by the project title's hyperlink shown below:

ID Number: 115670 - Agency: Human Services 
Project Title:  Oral Surgery Services

ID Number: 115612 - Agency: Transportation
 
ID Number: 115647 - Agency: Human Services 
Project Title:  Ambulance Services

ID Number: 115584 - Agency: Human Services

ID Number: 115614 - Agency: Agriculture
 
ID Number: 115569- Agency: IT
  
Source: PA eMarketplace 

While best known for its railroad operations, the Southern Pacific Company also owned and operated telegraph and telephone lines under the name Southern Pacific Railroad Internal Networking Telephony, which would later become the telecommunications company known by the acronym "Sprint."
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866-758-1929
ext. 244, 230 & 231
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