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     IN THIS ISSUE     

Opportunities Conference Coming to Asheville on June 6:

Not Too Late To Register!

GCAP Trivia

For Disaster Response Contracting, Fundamentals and Follow Through Are Key

Success Story:

Eagle Horizon Group

        ABOUT US       

The SBTDC is a business and technology extension program of the UNC System. Our Government Contracting Assistance Program (GCAP) offers no-fee and confidential counseling on selling your products and/or services to the appropriate local, state, or federal government agency. GCAP also helps companies identify eligibility and complete applications for relevant economic development programs and certifications.

        THE TEAM       
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Scott Barker

GCAP Director

Statewide

(252) 737-1369

sbarker@sbtdc.org

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Brooklyn Dellinger

GCAP Counselor &

Events Coordinator

Boone, Hickory & Winston-Salem

(828) 322-5379

bdellinger@sbtdc.org

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Joel Guge

GCAP Counselor

Durham, Elizabeth City,

Greenville & Raleigh

(919) 513-0623

jguge@sbtdc.org

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Robin Livingston

GCAP Counselor

Fayetteville, Pembroke & Wilmington

(910) 672-1359

rlivingston@sbtdc.org

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Pamela Racer

GCAP Counselor

Asheville & Cullowhee

(828) 251-6025

pracer@sbtdc.org

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Jacquie Spearman

GCAP Counselor

Charlotte

(704) 687-0443

jspearman@sbtdc.org

 UPCOMING EVENTS

June 6 | 8:00 a.m.

Opportunities: Making Dollars and Sense Selling to the Government

Asheville, NC

Learn more

More GCAP events >>

Opportunities Conference Coming to Asheville on June 6

Not Too Late To Register!

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The Opportunities: Making Dollars and Sense Selling to the Government conference is coming up on June 6 in Asheville. Join us at the event to market your company directly to prime contractors and government agencies, enhance your government contracting skills, and make connections that can help you move your contracting efforts forward.


Register by Sunday, June 5 at 5:00 p.m. to save $50 versus the at-the-door fee. For more information, visit the Opportunities Conference website. Please contact Brooklyn Dellinger with any questions.

GCAP Trivia

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QUESTION: How many employees does the SBTDC have?



See below for the answer to this month's trivia question.

For Disaster Response Contracting, Fundamentals and Follow Through Are Key

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It is that time once again where the hurricane season is quickly approaching. It is prudent for North Carolina businesses to start their efforts now in order to be able to win government contracts post-hurricane.


In the aftermath of a disaster, potential contractors swarm to the site hoping for a piece of the clean-up and recover effort. For inexperienced players, it can be chaotic, confusing, and cut-throat. Informal subcontracting agreements are made on the ground, which may not be enforceable, and third-party firms falsely promise no-bid contracts to those who pay big bucks to be on a “priority vendors list” (there is no such list). Government officials in charge of relief efforts are overwhelmed and information may be hard to come by. What is a small contractor to do?


Know the Facts


  • The Thomas T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act requires FEMA to contract with businesses located in the affected area when feasible and practical.
  • State and local government agencies control a large proportion of disaster response activities, so many of the contracting opportunities will come through these offices. At the time of a disaster, they may initially rely upon contracts already in place.
  • Potential contractors must be registered in the appropriate federal, state, and/or local databases to be eligible for contract awards.


Take Care of the Fundamentals


  • Make sure that you are registered in all applicable databases (see below) and that your company information is accurate, complete (including detailed capabilities listings), and consistent across all the various registrations (i.e., use the same company name, address, numbers, email, and web addresses). This will make it easier for government agencies to cross-check your information. Note: your SAM registration must match your IRS and DUNS information.
  • Make sure your company is well represented online with an up-to-date website that clearly describes the goods and services you offer and, if possible, includes a link to your catalogue. Especially in emergencies, agency buyers may rely on the internet for market research.
  • Actively research contract opportunities and then pursue them. See below for information on federal agencies (like FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers), as well as for state and local agencies in North Carolina.


Look for Federal Government Opportunities



State and Local Government Contracting


Establish relationships with municipal and county governments, as well as state procurement offices. Often these offices control much of the work that is done. In fact, FEMA doesn’t do anything without request and concurrence from the state, local, and (when applicable) tribal governments. The type, kind, and quantity of assistance FEMA provides is entirely up to state and local authorities. If debris removal contracts are already in place for routine incidents, such as wind or ice storms, those contracts will probably be used for major disasters first.


So, make sure that you are registered in all applicable state and local databases – not only those local to you, but those in areas you might travel to in response to a disaster.


North Carolina State Contracting Sites



North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) is another great source of information for businesses in the state looking for assistance in the aftermath of a disaster. ReBuild NC


We provide a wide range of government contracting help! There are never shortcuts in government contracting. Your local Government Contracting Assistance Program (GCAP) counselor can help you—at no cost—take the steps you need to be eligible, to find, and to bid on government contracts. Disaster recovery is a long process. Doing the right things now will position you to take advantage of opportunities that are still weeks or months down the road.


Assistance topics include (but are not limited to!):


  • Determining suitability for contracting
  • Securing necessary registrations (including SAM registration)
  • SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, and other certifications
  • Marketing
  • Researching procurement histories
  • Networking
  • Identifying bid opportunities
  • Proposal preparation assistance
  • Contract performance issues
  • Preparing for audit


Locate your local GCAP counselor for assistance with your government contracting efforts.

Success Story:

Eagle Horizon Group

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Founder and CEO Rae Ohlert started Eagle Horizon Group in Northern Virginia in 2010 before relocating its headquarters to Edenton in 2019. The company is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned, and HUBZone-certified consulting firm with an emphasis on Continuity of Government, Nuclear Command and Control, and Electromagnetic Pulse Mitigation services. She currently runs the company with her husband Ed Ohlert.


The initial intent for forming the Eagle Horizon Group was to take her project management and continuity planning capabilities acquired via several years of working for the federal government into the private sector and pursue government contracting opportunities. Rae reached out to the SBTDC’s office in Greenville in January 2020 looking for assistance with her SDVOSB application. Since that time, she has acquired three federal certifications that have benefited the company with its efforts to become a competitive and successful government contractor. She has also completed coursework for a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and is a Certified Floodplain Manager, a DRII Certified Business Continuity Professional, a FEMA-Certified Master Trainer, Master Exercise Practitioner, Master Professional Continuity Practitioner Level 2, and a HAZUS Practitioner.


The company recently won a HUBZone set-aside federal contract with the Department of Homeland Security. According to Rae, “SBTDC and GCAP's assistance was invaluable to our winning the HUBZone set-aside that resulted in a Sole Source Award to Eagle Horizon Group in the amount of $3.9 million over the next five years. This was the easiest win we have ever had in our 11-year history. GCAP is a true asset to North Carolina!”


Both Rae and Ed are very involved with the Edenton community and have grown to appreciate the serenity associated with life in eastern North Carolina.


There is no doubt that Rae and the Eagle Horizon Group are well poised to continue to compete for and win government contracts moving forward – due at least in small part to some of the assistance received from the SBTDC’s Government Contracting Assistance Program.

Trivia Answer

The SBTDC currently employs 80 full-time personnel located in 16 different locations around the state.

SELLING TO THE GOVERNMENT


5 West Hargett Street, Suite 600

Raleigh, NC 27601

(919) 600-5998

info@sbtdc.org

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