Pick up new business from the government

Each year, the federal government spends more than $400 billion in goods and services, 23% of which is slated for small business owners and 5% for women business owners. However, in recent years, the government has fallen short of this goal, awarding just 22% of contracts to small business owners and 3.4% to women business owners in the most recent fiscal year.
Source: American Express OPEN/WIPP press release

We’ve talked before about how small business can benefit from government contracts. It’s not just huge federal defense contracts. It’s state and local governments; it’s services and products. You might be surprised that you’re business fits exactly what some agency, like the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (pictured), is looking for.

Workshops
In Oklahoma, Rose State College is hosting a “boot camp” conference to help small businesses get started with contracting.

The Government economic stimulus package is going to provide abundant opportunities for small business. Diversify your client base with government contracts. Learn how at the Procurement Academy Boot Camp on April 14, 2009 and then meet with members of federal, state and local governments and learn more about upcoming opportunities at the National Government Procurement Conference on April 15 and16, 2009. Email us for more information: VArmstrong@Rose.edu

Check around your area. See what training is local to you.

Online resources
Ken Larson is giving great advice at Small Business Federal Government Contracting. He’s a SCORE volunteer, writing amazing articles with in-depth info.

WIPP (Women Impacting Public Policy) have launched a Procurement resource site with news, podcasts, and more resources focusing on women owned businesses. The info is actually useful for any small business looking into government contracting.

In person help
Many small business service providers have a procurement specialist or program. In Oklahoma, we have regional Bid Assistance coordinators. They charge nothing to work with you one on one to get started with contracting.

Your story
Have you added to your business with government contracts? Have a good or bad story to share?

Photo: Oklahoma Department of Commerce, by Becky McCray

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About Becky McCray

Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.