ptac

This is the sixth episode in the series "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion". In our last podcast episode, we discussed Supplier Diversity from the lens of a large business. In our newest episode we focus on how a small business may attain a state certification enabling them to win local, county and state government business. Dr. Guido Minaya, CEO and Chief Learning Officer of Minaya Learning Global Solutions and Mark Odell, Procurement Specialist with the Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center at Florida Gulf Coast University, sit down to discuss this.

For the first time ever we are interviewing someone from APTAC (Association of Pocurement Technical Assistance Centers). 

If you have never heard of APTAC or PTAC for short, the non-organization has offices around the country in every state that provide free and low cost training and technical assistance for small businesses. They host workshops and matchmaking events, offer one-on-one counseling and can provide you with resources to reach federal, state and local government agencies. My recommendation is that every small business owner should at the very least try and get acquainted with their local PTAC. If not for the fact that the organization is funded bytax payers, so to do a free consultation is a no brainer. 

Our guest today, Melissa Burant is a Government Contracting Specialist with the Iowa Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) serving clients in Scott and Clinton counties. Before working at PTAC Melissa served as a federal contracting officer at the Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, and has more than 15 years of federal service.

In this episode she shares: 

▪how to help small businesses avoid pitfalls 

▪some of the service offered by PTAC 

▪small business horror story and more

YouTube Live: July 20, 2020

Today we talk about preparing your company for success. Reach out to the PTAC and ask about IDV. Do not let them blow smoke about stuff you already know, cap statement, NAICS, SAM and beta.sam.

@23:56 Eric loves 8a

@29:49 Explain IDV

@38:42 How to prepare your company for contract actions using IDV

@50:12 Top mistakes preventing companies from winning first contract