September 2022

A Note from the Program Manager

Greetings!

I hope this newsletter finds everyone in the best of health!

As we enter the start of Fall ’22, we are also starting our new PTAC contract year 2022-2023! This year we are focusing on partnering with Primes and how to contract with State and Local governments. This is in addition to our regular webinars/workshop on certifications, SAM registration, teaming/Joint Ventures, Capability Statement, etc. Please join us for one or all events.

We will be highlighting one of our PTAC staff each month. Be on the lookout for the “Get to know your PTAC” article and find out about your PTAC personnel.

Continued SAM issues

For clients who are still experiencing SAM issues, please contact your PTAC specialist. We have a dedicated PTAC specialist that will escalate your issues to GSA/SAM if they meet these requirements.

Escalate urgent issues only, e.g. the entity cannot get paid due to their registration expiring or the entity has a pending award. We have limited capacity to handle escalations and want to ensure we are prioritizing those who need it most.
Escalate entity validation issues only, e.g. the entity cannot get a name/address match or fails date/state of incorporation. Do not escalate issues with IRS, CAGE, or any other entity registration issue.

National PTAC Day with a panel of our current and previous PTAC Success Award winners

Join us in celebrating National PTAC Day: “The Challenges and Successes of Government Contracting” with our AZPTAC Success Awardees. They each manage, control and operate their own small businesses and continue to grow in the government sector. They will be part of our panel and speak about their experience in government contracting and answer questions that helped them succeed in this arena. Please join us in this “in-person” event and learn from your peers!

Lastly, we are still working on our partial return to the office and what that will look like for “in-person” client meetings. The dates and times for each office will be posted on our website and sent out in our next newsletter.

AZPTAC locations:

Glendale Community College – Glendale
Gateway Community College – Phoenix
Mesa Community College – Mesa
Arizona Western College – Yuma
Cochise College – Sierra Vista

Newest Location:

Rio Salado College/Chandler Gilbert Community College, Queen Creek

Appointments will need to be made in advance for client meetings since all locations will be partially staffed on a weekly basis.

Best regards,

Lori Haozous

Interim AZ PTAC Program Manager

AZPTAC

ATTENTION!

Small Business News

Government Contracting Education Initiative for Women Entrepreneurs Returns for 10th Year

ChallengeHer - a government contracting education initiative to help women-owned small businesses gain access to federal contracts and encourage participation in the SBA’s Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program is returning for its 10th year.

WOSBs have received more than $26 billion in federal contracts.

ChallengeHer events provide matchmaking opportunities between women-owned businesses and government contractors and networking opportunities. It also provides programming and training. The sessions are offered in person and online. More info here.

AZPTAC assists woman-owned small businesses with WOSB Certification. Contact your PTAC specialist for more information or call 623-845-4700.

New SBA Rule Enhances Past Performance Opportunities

for Small Businesses

On August 22, 2022, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will implement a final rule that provides two new methods by which small businesses can obtain past performance credit when competing for federal prime contracts.

Read More Here

Expiring SAM.gov Registration Extensions

From the GSA Office of Procurement Ombudsman:

OMB has authorized the extension of upcoming SAM expirations through 12/01/2022. There will be an automatic, 60-day extension for any existing SAM.gov entity registration needing to renew with an expiration date ranging between August 1, 2022, and August 31, 2022. No action is required on the part of entity registrants.

In mid-August, there will be a 60-day extension for any existing SAM.gov entity registration needing to renew with an expiration date ranging between September 1, 2022, and September 30, 2022. The need for additional extensions for entities expiring in October 2022 will be assessed in mid-September.

Each impacted registration renewal will have 60 days added to its expiration date. Entity administrators impacted by this change will receive an email from samadmin@sam.gov with the subject line “60-Day SAM.gov Extension Granted for [Entity Name/DUNS/CAGE]." The new expiration dates will be included in the SAM entity management extracts and available through web services after the records are extended.

PTAC Tip:

If you have an expiring registration, start your renewal at least 30-60 days prior to the expiration date. This will help prevent your registration from expiring should there be any issues with your renewal.

Your procurement specialist is here to help! Contact them or call 623-845-4700.

Are you a Veteran? Is your business certified?

On January 1, 2023, the CVE Certification for veteran-owned businesses will transition to the U.S. Small Business Administration. If you are thinking of certifying your business as a Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), the time is now to begin your application. PTAC suggests you begin the process no later than October 31. Visit https://vetbiz.va.gov/ to learn more about the process.

PTAC Specialists can assist with the certification process. Contact your specialist or call 623-845-4700.

Upcoming Workshops

www.azptac.com