Some businesses only read the performance work statement and fail to consider the terms and conditions set forth in the solicitations.

Here are 3 rules in responding to a solicitation:

#1 rule is to read and understand the solicitation requirements

#2 is to read it again

#3 is to read it again

Read, read, read…. This also includes reading all amendments to the solicitation.

• If the solicitation requirements are ambiguous, get clarification from the Contracting Specialist (preferably in writing).  Oftentimes, the soliciting agency offers a time frame for questions and answers.  Don’t wait until the last minute to get clarification on any unclear language in the solicitation.

• Ensure there is plenty of time to work on the solicitation and submit your bid. A late bid is generally rejected and will not be considered.  This means it must be received before the specific date and time at the designated location.

• Since paying attention to details will significantly increase your chances of obtaining a government contract award, it’s a good idea to stop by your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) to ensure you don’t miss anything.

The story features David Clark, owner of a shoe repair shop, who began with a home-based business. He ran the business out of home (actually out of garage) until he was able to move to a local shopping center. Now, Clark’s shoe repair & manufacturing business is north of Avon Park, in the shopping center that’s located one block past Stryker Road. Now Clark is a part of the upward trend for African American business operations, especially those in Highlands county. The Tampa Bay Times article describes such black-owned businesses as an “economic engine,” while also pointing out that Florida is third in the nation for black-owned business statistics. Women owned businesses are another form of minority owned business classification. Minority owned business classifications result from 51% ownership by the minority owner (such as an African America, Hispanic, women, and others). Speaking of which, the article also points out the growth in Hispanic owned business operations, as well. To read more about Clark’s business success, minority-owned business trends & statistics, and local resources for business start ups & growth, see the full article at Tampa Bay Online (TBO) on “Minority Owned Business Joining the Majority “.

David Noel is the Small Business Development Center’s consultant for the Highlands county area. He assists businesses like Clark’s with start up advice, business assistance, business growth, government contracts for minority business owners, & other small business help. Noel offers advice to minority and women-owned business in free business consulting sessions. He offers tips, such as suggesting these business owners should visit the State Office of Supplier Diversity web site, www.dms.myflorida.com/other_programs/office_of_sup… for more information about seeking out federal contracts (one of the primary reasons for seeking declaration as a women or minority owned business classification).

Also, the Small Business Development Center’s PTAC program hosts local events, like the 2011 Government Contracting for Small Business Conference. If you are a minority owned business or start up who is seeking government contracts, be sure to speak to your local PTAC consultant for advice. In Tampa, the PTAC consultant is Charlene Bostic.

SBA Recovery Loans:

• The law will extend SBA Recovery loans (with the 90% guarantee and reduced fees) through December 31, 2010.
• The law will permanently increase 7(a) and 504 limits from $2 million to $5 million (for manufacturers in 504 loan program, up to $5.5 million).
• The law will permanently increase microloan limits from $35,000 to $50,000, helping larger entrepreneurs with start-up costs and small business owners in underserved communities.
• The law will increase maximum amount of SBA Express loans from $350,000 to $1 million (expires 9/27/2011).
• The law will allow some small businesses to refinance their owner-occupied commercial real estate mortgages into the 504 loan program (expires 9/27/2012).
• The law provides for funding up to $20 million per year in small business loans over the next three years for an intermediary-facilitated loan program targeting small businesses that need loans up to $200,000.

Exporting:

• The law turns the Export Express pilot loan program into a permanent program with 90% guarantees for loans up to $350,000 and 75% for loans between $350,000 and $500,000.
• The law provides $90 million in competitive grants over next three years for states to help small business owners with exporting.

Federal Contracting:

• The law gives agency procurement officers more ability to provide both large prime contracts and mircocontracts to small businesses. The law makes it harder for agencies to “bundle” contracts, a practice that often takes opportunities away from small business. The law also has stronger enforcement so agencies will be held more accountable for reaching small business goals.
• The law enforces stronger subcontracting plan requirements for large prime contractors to ensure small businesses are utilized in subcontracting. It also discourages late payments to small subcontractors.

Extension, Expansion of Tax Cuts

For more detailed information, please click on this link:� http://www.sba.gov/jobsact/

There are approximately 40 GSA Schedules that covers virtually everything from Information Technology to Professional Consultants, Furniture, Professional Engineering, Medical Supplies, Temporary Staffing,� just to name a few. �If you are a large or small business selling commercial, “off the shelf” Products and/or services, this window of opportunity is another option the federal government market offers in efforts to grow your business.

To become a GSA Schedule contractor, a vendor must first identify the GSA Schedule solicitation that covers the vendor�s product and/or supplies.� Don�t forget the steps that must be taken prior to getting on schedule.� If you recall in the previous article �Doing Business with the Government�, there are steps to take if a vendor wants to do business with the federal government.� Those steps are also required to obtain a GSA Schedule.� As a reminder, a vendor must obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS), identify North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, register in Central Contractor Registration (CCR), and register in the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) in order to obtain a GSA Schedule contract.

To learn more about GSA Schedules and how to obtain one, visit the website below:� http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104465

The government spends billions of dollars each year on products and services from large and small businesses.� In many cases the government set aside a percentage of procurement opportunities for small business, including veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, hub zone, small disadvantaged, and women-owned small business concerns.

The Federal spending for FY 2010 year-to-date is over $290 billion dollars.� How your business can get a piece of the pie?� If you are committed to doing business with the government and are willing to do some work your business could be in a position to start winning federal government contracts.

Register as a Federal Contractor

The first order of business is to get registered.� If you?re not registered as a vendor with any government entity you have missed the opportunity to win government contracts.� This is an easy yet sometimes overlooked step.� Keep in mind that your competitor is already taking measures to out bid you just by simply registering with the government.

How to Register as a Federal Contractor focuses on registering with the federal government, but don?t overlook other government agencies.� The business must register with each individual government entity as each will have its own set of rules.

For information on how to register as a vendor with the federal government, visit the website below:� http://www.business.gov/expand/government-contracting/register.html

“Partnering for Success: Create your Own Economic Stimulus”

The 24th Annual Government Small Business Conference successfully concluded with great feedback from all participants. The event took place on May 5 and 6 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida and attracted nearly 400 hundred attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors.

The Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (FPTAC) host many conferences throughout the state of Florida to help businesses obtain contracts with federal, state/local government agencies and government prime contractors.

The Tampa PTAC event provided a unique opportunity for small businesses to meet with buyers from various government agencies and large corporations.� The conference opened on May 5^th with multiple informative workshops that provided critical information ensuring greater success in winning government contracts.

On May 6^th, attendees were able to develop and build strategic supplier relationships at the Business Opportunity Trade Fair and Matchmaking event.� Nearly 60 exhibitors participated in the fair.� Additionally, conference attendees had the opportunity to participate in a matchmaker event that partnered small businesses with government agencies and prime contractors.� There were approximately 22 government agencies and prime contractors providing one-on-one sessions and approximately 200 appointments scheduled during this successful matchmaker event.

In addition to support received from government agencies, the conference also received strong support from the government prime contractors as well as small businesses.� Our sponsors included: GOLD:� Jabil and Raytheon, SILVER: CAE and General Dynamics, BRONZE: Jacob and Harris, Refreshments:� Elite Office Logistics, Moffitt Cancer Center, TECO Energy, and In-Kind: Markmaster, Inc. and Wendt Productions, Inc.

The Annual Government Small Business Conference is organized every year by the Tampa Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), which is part of the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida.

If you missed this year?s conference, make plans to attend next year?s major Government Small Business Conference.� See details below:

25^th Annual Government Small Business Conference tentatively scheduled for May 4-5, 2011, Tampa Convention Center, Tamp, FL

Check out the [intlink id="40" type="page"]Training Calendar[/intlink] for upcoming classes.

Click Here to Read the Full Article

After graduating from the University of Cincinnati, Hig Rodriquez Dillinger worked with a number of building materials companies. In 2002 he decided to leverage his experience and contacts to launch Commercial Industrial Roof Services Co. ?It seemed natural that we would take all of that expertise and put it to use as a roof consultant,? Dillinger said. So in 2002 Dillinger came to the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida in order to learn how to obtain his certification as a Minority Business Enterprise and how to win government contracts.

According to Dillinger, the consultants at the Small Business Development Center ?provide high quality advice, were very helpful, and really cared about my business. I go to many functions where Small Business Development Center consultants participate and I am impressed by the commitment of their people.? Dillinger?s vision when he started his business was to be a roof consultant.

However like many entrepreneurs, he discovered that his customers wanted more. They wanted not only a roof consultant, but also a quality roof contractor to protect their roofs. So CIRSCO soon expanded beyond advising customers on how to extend the life of their roof. Now, CIRSCO works primarily with multiple-facility building owners and property managers, providing maintenance inspections, budgeting, planning, roof repairs, restorations, recovery, and replacements. ?We focus almost exclusively on helping the owners and managers of existing buildings protect their roofs which protect their buildings,? Dillinger explains.

Dillinger explains his company?s motto is ?treat customers as human beings and understand their needs.? CIRSCO has developed into a family firm of 22 employees with sons, Scott and Steve and daughter, Nichol working in the business. It has received many awards such as: 2008 Top 25 Minority-Owned Companies in Tampa Bay, Nation?s Top 100 Disabled Veteran owned Business, Nation?s Top 500 Hispanic Owned Business and many others. Dillinger still makes use of the resources at the Small Business Development Center to grow his business having attended 44 counseling sessions since the business started in 2002. Now, his customers want CIRSCO to provide services for their facilities, landscaping, parking lots, irrigation systems, and storm water management.

In spite of the recession, CIRSCO is growing and looking to hire quality people. Again, CIRSCO is going where its customers takes it- well beyond the original vision in 2002. For further information, visit www.cirsco.com or call (813) 740-8080.

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n. Elevation of the blood pressure, or extreme emotional tenseness often attributed to your attempts to navigate the protocols of doing business with the government.

Rules, requirements and regulations — oh my! Stuck in the red tape surrounding the U.S. government? We can help set you free with these classes that guide you through the creation and maintenance of valuable government relationships.

Prescription for Success

• Women, Minority, & Service Disabled Veteran Certification
• Government Contracting Series
• Annual Government Small Business Conference