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Logistics Agency to promote business engagement with the federal and state governments. I have worked with the PTACs in Maryland, Ohio and Hawaii over the years and have been a guest instructor at a number of their training events. Te PTACs will assist small businesses with using FedBizOps, the Federal Procurement Data System – Next Generation and other databases to research what government entities have purchased products and services with the same NAICS or similar product line. Tis can help the small businesses focus their marketing on the government entities buying their kind of products or services. PTACs also help with proposal writ- ing and the formulation of business plans. Many of the Army contracting offices around the country team with the local PTACs to engage small businesses.
Stephen D. Kreider Program Executive Officer for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors
Small businesses need to understand the importance of busi- ness systems, earned value management (EVM) and rock-solid in-house systems and software engineering and program man- agement support when competing for Army procurements. Te ability to perform EVM, with an integrated risk- and resource-loaded level-of-effort and schedule plan, is essential to compete on the larger Army procurements.
Small businesses need to also understand their financial respon- sibility requirements in the context of an acquisition program and growth as well as the government payment procedures to enable timely cash flow. It is more complicated if the contract is cost-reimbursable and requires additional understanding.
In order to be qualified to compete on procurements requiring a facility clearance, small businesses should explore classified subcontracting opportunities with large businesses so they can obtain a facility clearance via the subcontract. Tis will give the small business the opportunity to participate in competi- tions requiring a facility clearance. A contractor or prospective contractor cannot apply for its own facility clearance. A pro- curing activity of the government or cleared contractor, in the case of subcontracting, may request the clearance when a definite, classified procurement need has been established. Consult the Defense Security Service for more information on obtaining a facility clearance.
In an effort for small businesses to receive more business, it is important to understand the importance of asking the
questions during the request for proposal (RFP) phase, to fully understand the requirements, understand the perfor- mance-based payments clause to assist with cash flow, and the government solicitation process holistically.
In order to improve the quality of service to the Army and cash flow to the contractor, small businesses should meet with the contracting officer’s representative and contracting officer and spend more time after award managing the new contract and ensuring that invoices are prepared correctly and submit- ted to the correct office or entered in the correct system.
Randy Edney Assistant Director for Small Business Programs Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training & Instrumentation
Small businesses should be familiar with the mission, organi- zational structure, products and services procured by the Army command. Tey should do an analysis of the products and services to identify how they can best support the mission.
Small businesses should contact the command’s Office of Small Business Programs to discuss their areas of interest, capabilities and experience. Tey should participate in industry briefings, conferences or any opportunities to interact with acquisition and technical personnel. Tey should monitor the FedBizOps website or other portals where requirements are posted.
Most importantly, small businesses should actively respond to sources-sought notices and competitive requirements, and pursue teaming, joint venture and subcontract opportunities.
Joanne McBride Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Lead U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center
I would tell small businesses to continually reach out to gov- ernment, whether on the DOD, Office of the Secretary of Defense or component SBIR websites, for topics and guidance in submitting proposals, or attend the various small business events nationwide to personally speak with government repre- sentatives regarding their areas of expertise. As much as small businesses are looking for ways to work with government, the government is truly interested in working with small business to provide innovative research and development in project and program development.
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Army AL&T Magazine
January-March 2016
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