JUNE 2019

Government Contracting Showcase 2019
Extremely Productive for Businesses 
in Attendance
The NEPA Alliance held its annual PTAC Government Contracting Showcase (GCS) on May 30, 2019 at the Genetti Hotel and Conference Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA. The event was well attended with registrations and walk-ins totaling over 125 individuals and 22 exhibits inclusive of representatives from economic development, government agencies, and private businesses. GCS was deemed to be a great resource and beneficial to those in attendance.

Jeffrey Box, President & CEO of the NEPA Alliance, opened the event and welcomed all in attendance to GCS 2019. He provided a snapshot of the impact PTAC had on the region last fiscal year with over $188 million awarded to the businesses working with the PTAC team. Mr. Box introduced the Welcoming Keynote Speaker, State Representative Eddie Day Pashinski, serving Pennsylvania House District 121 to the audience. He stated, "Since his first election in 2006, Representative Pashinski has been a staunch supporter of community and economic development, and working Pennsylvanians."
 
Representative Pashinski noted in his welcome to Luzerne County" A great deal of state dollars would not be part of the region if not for the NEPA Alliance. The learning curve is huge for the average businessperson, and the NEPA Alliance PTAC is a tremendous asset for the business community."


Representative Pashinski
 
Congressman Cartwright was the GCS Luncheon Keynote Speaker, who was well received by the attendees. Jeff Box provided the introduction and said, "We are pleased to have Congressman Cartwright with us this afternoon. During his terms in the House, there is no other member who has done more to develop and introduce meaningful bills." Cartwright commended the small businesses for attending GCS 2019 to help grow their respective companies. He stated, "Bringing federal dollars back to the local economy is a priority. Jeff Box is right, $100s of millions are flowing into our region. The Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration are the two largest purchases. Small businesses help diversify our economy."


Congressman Cartwright
 
NEPA Alliance PTAC has already started planning efforts for the 2020 Government Contracting Showcase.
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) & Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) Compliance Workshop
FAR & DCAA Workshop
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
8:00 AM to 3:30 PM
The Woodlands Inn
1073 PA-315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

Three CPE Credits in Government Accounting Will be Awarded

Overview:

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) directly affects the purchase and sale of over $200 billion worth of supplies, services, and construction each year by federal procurement offices. It is the principal set of rules containing policies and procedures governing the acquisition activity of the federal government. It applies to all federal executive agencies in their acquisition of supplies and services.
 
The purpose of the FAR is to ensure purchasing procedures are standard, consistent, and conducted in a fair and impartial manner. FAR regulations govern three phases of the acquisition process: acquisition planning; contract formulation; and contract administration.
 
The FAR document is comprehensive, complex, and continually changing. Small businesses pursuing or awarded government contracts need to have a working knowledge of the FAR to ensure they are getting the best possible contract and are in full compliance with all applicable laws.
 
FAR clauses are included in all federal government solicitations. In order to be awarded a contract, bidders must either comply with these provisions, demonstrate they will be able to comply at the time of award or claim exemption from them.
 
Therefore, to do business with the federal government, small businesses need to understand these regulations.
 
Synopsis:

This Workshop is designed to address FAR challenges in a highly practical and user-friendly way. The instructor and attendees will work through practical exercises to demonstrate how to work with the FAR. Attendees will develop skills to apply the FAR to their current and future acquisition situation(s). The Workshop will distinguish between sections of the FAR which are mandatory, and those allowing the parties to structure the contract to fit the situation.
 
Agenda:
  • Overview of Federal Acquisition Regulations
  • Definitions of Commonly Used Terminology
  • History and Importance of the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA)
  • Explanation of the Pre-Award Survey
  • Steps to Prepare for an On-site Audit by DCAA
  • Required Policies and Procedures
Presenter:

Dr. W. Nick Cline, Principal at DCAA Consulting  & Accounting Worldwide Inc.,  has worked in the private, public, educational, and health care systems after retiring from the United States Army Finance & Accounting Corps, where he was stationed in Germany, South Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. DCAA Consulting & Accounting Worldwide Inc. serves clients throughout the United States and in overseas markets.
 
Dr. Nick Cline
CPE Credits:

DCAA Consulting & Accounting Worldwide Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy as a sponsor of continuing education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State Boards of Accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Participants in this live group Workshop can earn up to 3 total CPE credits in Governmental Accounting.
 
Registration will be from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM The workshop will start promptly at 8:30 AM

There is no cost to attend this event, but space will be limited to the first 25 registrants


New Services Help Online Sellers with Pennsylvania Sales Tax 
Harrisburg, PA - The Department of Revenue (Department) is making it easier for people and businesses selling products online to collect and remit Pennsylvania sales tax.
 
The Department is working with Certified Service Providers (CSPs), companies that allow out-of-state online sellers to outsource most of their sales tax collection responsibilities. CSPs will file tax returns and collect and forward tax payments to the Department of Revenue on behalf of their clients.
 
The software that CSPs offer can also help an online sellers determine which items are subject to Pennsylvania sales tax. Under the CSPs' arrangement with the Department of Revenue, CSPs will offer their services for free or at a reduced cost to online sellers with no physical presence in Pennsylvania.  
 
SBA Proposes Certification Rule for Women-Owned Small Businesses  
Seeking Comments by July 15, 2019
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) published a proposed rule that will provide a free online application process for women-owned small businesses to be certified and eligible to participate in the SBA's Women-Owned Small Business Program or access contracts as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) or Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB).  The SBA is seeking public comments on the proposed rule by July 15, 2019.  To submit comments, click HERE

The following proposals are included in the new rule:
  • Allow participation from an expanded list of federal and state entities with existing certification programs and confirm the continued participation of approved third-party certifiers.
  • Eliminate the self-certification option consistent with the Small Business Act as amended within the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, Public Law 113-291, and require approved third-party certifiers to notify applicants of its fees and the option to use SBA's free online certification process.
  • Adopt a $750,000 net worth standard when assessing economic disadvantage for EDWOSBs and continuing eligibility for the 8(a) Business Development Program.

The proposed rule will bolster the number of federal contract awards to WOSB and EDWOSB-certified businesses and better empower agencies to meet the 5% federal contracting goal for woman-owned small businesses. Currently, contracting officers must review a contract awardee's documentation to verify an applicant's WOSB and EDWOSB eligibility. By establishing a transparent, centralized, and free certification process, the SBA aims to provide contracting officers with reassurance firms participating in the WOSB Program are eligible for awards and encourage them to set aside contracts for women-owned small businesses.                                                     
PTAC Tip of the Month:
Small Businesses Should not Fear the Federal Marketplace
The government market offers many opportunities for businesses to grow and diversify. It can, however, seem like a scary place for small businesses to venture, especially when it comes to high-dollar value acquisitions with a high level of risk and technical complexity, along with heavy contract management and compliance requirements.  

The good news is that the government marketplace does not have to be scary for small businesses if they know how to navigate it. There are plenty of low-risk opportunities for small businesses regardless of size, capabilities, and resources. In fact, over 90% of government purchases and contract actions are performed under the micro-purchase threshold and paid for with a credit card (commonly referred to as a government purchase card).

Furthermore, in 2018, the federal government increased the micro-purchase threshold for civilian and DoD agencies from $3500 and $5000 respectively to $10,000 for both. This means that if you have products and services priced under $10,000, you can sell them directly to agencies without having to compete.

So, if you are new to the federal marketplace, how can you and your team pursue this vast marketplace, find opportunities that are right for you, and allow you to sleep well at night?
  1. Take baby steps.  
  2. Start small. Beginning with small opportunities is a great way for your team to acclimate in a low-risk environment.  Also, if your product or service falls below the micro-purchase thresholds, you can be awarded small purchase orders without having to compete for them.
  3. Having a small offer falling under the micro-purchase threshold can also give you an easy foot in the door and a low-risk option for the government to engage.
  4. Build a mastermind network, and do not go it alone. There are many things you will not know, but do not let it paralyze you.  As long as you know who to ask, you will continue to move forward.
  5. Talk with your NEPA Alliance PTAC Counselor. 
Source: GSA SmartPay Program Overview Statistics 
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: 114936 - Agency: PENNVEST 
Project Title: Financial Audit Services

ID Number: 114968 - Agency: General Services

ID Number: 114893 - Agency: General Services 
Project Title: Fuel Additives

ID Number: 114861 - Agency: Environmental Protection
Project Title: Energy Program Specialist

ID Number: 114849- Agency: Environmental Protection

ID Number: 114727 - Agency: General Services
Source: PA eMarketplace 

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There were 7.4 million job openings in April, and 5.9 million hires set a new record high, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data recently released.
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