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MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS August 23, 2003 by Linda Hirvonen Delta County Economic Development Alliance Off the Procurement Path: Getting the UP into State and Federal Supply Chains In seeking to expand their marketing base, many small businesses ask about getting contacts with government agencies. State and federal government agencies not only purchase in bulk, but they purchase a wide variety of goods and services. There are a number of ways to register a business for government procurement and several agencies to assist. One of the best ways to begin is by attending the upcoming “Doing Business with the State” on Friday, September 12 at Bay College. It will run from 9:00 until 11:00 am in Room 952 of the Heirman University Center and is their only forum in the UP. Representatives from various state departments will be at the forum with information on what kinds of things their department buys and how to get on their bid lists. Participants will learn, among other things: •How to register as a vendor with the State of Michigan •How state and local agencies buy goods and services •What goods and services state agencies buy •How to bid for commodities and services through the Department of Management and Budget •How to access the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) bulletin board system •How to bid Department of Management and Budget and MDOT design and construction projects The Department of Management and Budget handles most of the State government procurement. Much of the information needed about selling to or buying from the state can be found at www.michigan.gov/doingbusiness. This handy website has several categories to explore including a bids list and has information about the two major sections of government procurement: acquisitions and infrastructure. Clicking “Becoming a business partner” will give you forms and information about registering as a vendor. There is also information for those interested in buying things from the state. The general telephone number for those with questions is (517) 335-0230 In addition, the State Of Michigan - Agency Procurement List provides the name and phone number of the person in charge of purchasing products and services at each state agency. Some state departments and agencies have been given delegated purchasing authority for purchases of supplies, materials, equipment and services up to $25,000 - purchases over $25,000 are managed by the DMB. To view the Agency Procurement List,.go to www.Michigan.gov/documents/vendrlst_16352_7.doc. One of the most valuable resources is the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) of Michigan. Their mission is to enhance national defense and economic development of the State of Michigan by assisting Michigan businesses in obtaining and performing on federal, state and local government contracts. Our PTAC office is located in Traverse City, but their service to UP businesses has been excellent. If you go to the forum, see Deb Donovan there. If you can’t make it or want to go directly to the PTAC, call Jim Haslinger at 231-929-5036 or visit their website at www.nwm.org/business/procure. Counseling and electronic bid matching scans are among PTACs most valuable and time saving services. Bid Match provides a report specific to your company's product or service wide for variety of government bid opportunities, including those from the FedBizOpps database, DLA's bulletin boards, various EDI systems, state and local agencies, and foreign entities. To ensure that you see only those bids you are interested in, we will help you develop search profiles, containing keywords, Product Service Codes (PSC/FSCs), National Stock Numbers (NSNs), Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes. Another service of the PTAC’s isassistance completing Central Contractor Registration (CCR), SBA's PRO-Net, State of Michigan Vendor Registration, or any other registration to be on government bid lists. They will assist you in collecting the information you will need for CCR, PRO-Net, and the State of Michigan Vendor Registration. Finally, PTAC’s can help small businesses in identifying subcontracting assistance. The Federal Government has a legislated policy that small, small disadvantaged, 8(a) certified, women-owned small, HUBZone (we’re a HUBZone), veteran owned, and service disabled veteran owned concerns shall have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the performance of Federal contracts. Federal contractors are required to carry out this policy in the awarding of subcontracts to the fullest extent consistent with the efficient performance of the contract. Selling to or through the government can be a good experience if you know the ropes. Businesses wishing to know more are encouraged to visit with the PTAC and with the various departments represented at the September 12 forum at Bay College. For further information or for those who cannot attend, the above websites should be very helpful. Or call me at (906) 786-2192. Learn more about it: Most of the information above is compiled from several state, federal, and PTAC websites and brochures. It is the EDA’s belief that readers of this column wish to have the information included but do not have time to do their own research. We feel this is a value added service and it is not a compensated service outside of straight salary. Agencies providing such information have given blanket permission to member agencies like the EDA to reproduce such excerpts. If we are using someone else’s work wholesale, we will always give credit in this column. Come Grow with Us in Delta County! Linda A Hirvonen, Executive Director Delta County Economic Development Alliance 230 Ludington Street Escanaba MI 49829 (906) 786-2192 or fax (906) 786-8830 |
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