August 2021 - In This Issue:
ABOUT US

The Government Contracting Assistance Program is a business and technology extension program of the UNC System. Our 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 government contracting 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
GCAP Director 
(252) 737-1369


SUE CROTTS
GCAP Counselor
Chapel Hill / Greensboro 
(336) 256-9302


GCAP Counselor/Events Coordinator
Boone / Hickory / Winston-Salem
(828) 322-5379


GCAP Counselor 
Durham / Elizabeth City / Greenville / Raleigh
(919) 513-0623


GCAP Counselor
Fayetteville / Pembroke / Wilmington
(910) 672-1359


GCAP Counselor
Asheville / Cullowhee
(828) 251-6025


JACQUIE SPEARMAN
GCAP Counselor
Charlotte
(704) 687-0443


JARED WHITCOMB
GCAP Supply Chain Specialist
Statewide
(704) 351-8146

UPCOMING EVENTS
August 5, 2021
K.E. White Graduate Center
1704 Weeksville Road
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
August 10, 2021
Webinar
Offices of Small Business Programs
Joel Guge, Raleigh GCAP Counselor

As we continually mention and emphasize, the government of the United States and its agencies understand the importance of small businesses to strengthen and sustain the economy of our country. The government and its agencies realize the contributions that small businesses provide to the successful completion of each agency's overall mission. As a result of this understanding, the federal government wants to assist small businesses in becoming and remaining, strong, successful suppliers, vendors, and teammates to the agencies that depend on small businesses for much of their success. A key part of this effort to assist small businesses are the Offices of Small Business Programs that federal agencies maintain to help small businesses become, and continue as viable, sustainable, and successful suppliers to all federal agencies.

The Office of Small Business Programs, The Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization, and The Office of Small Business are some of the names of the various agency assistance offices that provide guidance to small business. These programs provide their assistance to strengthen the supplier base and to grow the support that their agency needs to successfully complete their mission. The offerings of these offices are extensive, are provided at no cost to the user, and are agency specific - so that the supplier gets concentrated information, assistance, and guidance in working with that particular agency. The services include:
  • Helping understand what, and how, that agency procures goods and services
  • Helping with any application needed to work with that agency
  • Providing training seminars/ webinars
  • Staging trade shows and events to allow the small business to connect with agency personnel
  • Promoting the use of socio- economically certified small businesses
  • Assisting small businesses as both prime and subcontractors
  • Assisting small businesses in marketing to that agency
This is a basic list of the types of assistance, instruction, and guidance that are available to small businesses when they reach out to these offices. By contacting these offices, small businesses can obtain specific assistance that will be valuable, in starting work, continuing work, and being a successful teammate to the agency the small business is wanting to contract with.

The North Carolina Government Contracting Assistance Program (GCAP) is an integral part of the process for assisting small businesses working with government agencies. In many instances, the Offices of Small Business Programs, for the individual agency, will guide the small business to begin their government-contracting journey by suggesting that they reach out and work with GCAP.  GCAP counselors provide guidance in navigating the government contracting process. Counselors will assist clients from the beginning registrations through contract award, contract review, and beyond. Providing assistance to small businesses to help them become and remain, strong and successful suppliers, vendors, and teammates to government agencies - and thereby assisting the government in being successful in accomplishing its overall mission - is the overriding purpose of the Office of Small Business Programs and the North Carolina GCAP.

Opportunities Trade Show Coming to Asheville in March
Scott Barker, GCAP Director
Back in March of 2020, all was set for the biennial reverse trade show known as "Opportunities" to take place in Asheville. About ten days prior to the actual event, it was cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The Raleigh-based "Marketplace" event normally held in May of even numbered years was also canceled due to COVID. We are happy to announce that we will hold the "Opportunities" event in Asheville on the 14th of March 2022. This upcoming event will also include participation of the South Carolina GCAP team and should be very worthwhile to attend. Please mark your calendars - more information to follow.

South Carolina Becomes Host to Second GCAP
Scott Barker, GCAP Director
The South Carolina Small Business Development Center (SBDC) recently designated its government contracting counseling services as the Government Contracting Assistance Program (GCAP) thus becoming the second program in the country following North Carolina.  The development has led to some ideas about launching a 'Contracting in the Carolinas' approach moving forward to assist businesses in each state better pursue government contracting opportunities.

Success Story 
A&M Scientific Supply
Joel Guge, Raleigh GCAP Counselor
 

A&M Scientific Supply is a Durham/RTP based, family-owned distributor of medical and laboratory equipment, medical consumables, and protective equipment. This woman owned, minority owned, HUBZone, and HUB certified business represents over 3,000 manufacturers which provide over one million types of high-quality medical equipment and supplies. By maintaining an effective inventory level of products in their Durham based warehouse, A&M Scientific can quickly respond to the medical equipment and medical supply needs of commercial customers as well as local, state, and federal agencies.  

A&M Scientific has been a North Carolina Government Contracting Assistance Program (GCAP) client for over three years of their three and a half-year business life. Initially, A&M came to GCAP looking for assistance with the HUBZone certification - specifically the HUBZone Early Engagement program. After assisting with the HUBZone certification, A&M worked with GCAP to understand the EDWOSB/WOSB certification process, and the July 2020 changes incorporated by the SBA to this certification process.

A&M also contacted GCAP as they looked at purchasing warehousing space for the company. GCAP and a SBTDC business counselor co-counseled the client company to provide information on purchasing options for the warehouse space. The SBTDC business counselor was also able to provide assistance with business financial accounting practices and provided a referral list of CPA firms, lending institutions, and grants and incentives related to business expansion.

During the time that A&M Scientific and GCAP have worked together, A&M has experienced substantial growth. Regarding the needs of the country in responding to the COVID 19 pandemic, A&M has been, and is, able to provide myriad medical products that have assisted frontline workers, hospitals, and government agencies in responding to the COVID related needs of local, state, and national populations. Currently, on the national level, A&M has provided products in response to purchase orders from the National Institute of Health and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) from the Indian Health Service. A&M continues to work with these agencies in providing specific medical and laboratory equipment and supplies. On the State level, A&M has provided needed medical products to DHHS, DOR, Emergency Management/Emergency Stockpile, and Dept of Corrections agencies. A&M continues to provide products in response to ongoing contracts with these agencies. Locally, A&M has provided, and will continue to provide, needed supplies and products to the commercial marketplace. By responding to these opportunities, A&M has been able to bring on and an additional full-time employee, 2 part time employees, and several 1099 contract employees. A&M plans to hire a warehouse manager and a sales representative in the near future.

A&M Scientific and GCAP continue to work together as A&M moves forward with responding to both prime and subcontracting opportunities. With the diligence, perseverance, and hard work that A&M Scientific exhibits in their government contracting initiative, A&M will continue to be a viable vendor and teammate with their government partners. From this, A&M will continue to see growth and success in their business future.  


SELLING TO THE GOVERNMENT

5 West Hargett St., Suite 600
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 600-5998