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Pick up new business from the government

By Becky McCray

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

Oklahoma Department of Commerce
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.
  • Zoom Towns: attracting and supporting remote workers in rural small towns - December 10, 2020
  • In an economic crisis, spend your brainpower before your dollars - November 25, 2020
  • Video: How to fill empty car dealership buildings for the holidays - November 6, 2020
  • How has 2020 changed the challenges rural small towns face? Tell us here - October 20, 2020
  • The Idea Friendly Method to surviving a business crisis - October 6, 2020
  • Join me for the Rural Renewal Symposium online Oct 13 - September 26, 2020
  • Cheap placemaking idea: instant murals - September 11, 2020
  • Refilling the rural business pipeline - July 7, 2020
  • Huge vacant buildings: grants to renovate? - June 9, 2020
  • Economic self defense for small towns  - June 7, 2020

February 5, 2009 Filed Under: entrepreneurship, resources Tagged With: events, review

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