Client Spotlight:
PIM Savvy, Inc.
News
New Training Coordinator - Lisa Lagerstrom is moving her role within PTAC to expand and enhance our training offerings across the state. The PTAC Counselor position at Economic Alliance Snohomish County is open until June 13. Jennifer Mitchell and the rest of the PTAC staff will be supporting clients in the northern Puget Sound area until the position is filled. https://www.economicalliancesc.org/about/career-opportunities/

Federal Size Standards proposed to increase – Public Comment is now being accepted (due June 27) on proposed size standard changes for 150 industries. A sample of industries impacted include Surgical appliance and supply manufacturing – increase from 750 to 800 employees (339113) and Environmental Remediation Services from 750 to 1000 (562910). 

Notably, there is no proposed change to the 500 employee standard for non-manufacturers. SBA is seeking feedback on whether to change the methodology for such a size standard. Read an article on the proposed rule here.

Expect major SAM Delays to continue – For federal contractors needing to update or register in the System for Award Management, expect major delays of over 30 days. Most entity address validations are failing and need to be corrected by requesting a service ticket. The federal service desk help tickets are being processed in 10 days minimum and sometimes the fix doesn’t address the issue. Note your expiration date and plan accordingly to avoid contract delays. In many cases, agencies are unable to wait for a small business to get through the system.

New Affirmative Action Certification Requirement - June 30 is the deadline for certain federal contractors to certify compliance with Affirmative Action Programs. This applies to supply and service contractors and subcontractors with a contract of $50,000 or more and 50 or more employees. Contractors with contracts over $150,000 have additional certification requirements.  The certification is required annually. Construction-only contractors are exempt. Read more here.

US VA Issues Guidance to Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) to get certified now – If you are a self-certified SDVOSB you will need to become certified in order to compete for set-aside opportunities. If you get certified now through the VA, your certification will transfer over on January 2023. If you are not certified by that date you will have a one-year grace period in which to get certified through the SBA. Based on recent experience with Women Owned Small Business Certification, PTAC recommends you plan on at least 6 months to get certified. Currently, VA is certified firms in under 30 days. Also, firms currently verified by the VA as SDVOSB and is expiring within 120 days before the transfer, re-certify prior to the transfer if you can. If you need any assistance, PTAC can help.

ASK PTAC we are now offering a quick question form for Washington businesses to send questions to PTAC counselors.  
Bid Opportunities
Want contracting opportunities delivered daily to your email? Check out PTAC’s bid matching system. Here's a sample of what you can find:

Washington State Department of Transportation seeks consultants who wish to be pre-qualified.  See details on WEBS or here. Due June 30.

IT Cyber Security Services Request for Information – Firms are encouraged to respond to the WA Department of Enterprise Services RFI for IT Professional Services Information and Cybersecurity Services. Find 16222 – RFI on WEBS.

Less Lethal Munitions Request for Information – Firms are encouraged to respond to WA Dept of Enterprise Services RFYI for Less Lethal Munitions contract which expires December of this year. See RFI on WEBS.


WA DES Aviation Fuel, due: 6/12/2022


WA OSPI RFI Child Nutrition Services, due: 6/6/2022
Subcontracting Opportunities

Cornerstone General Contractors, Inc. - Asa Mercer School Replacement Project - ongoing
Upcoming Events
Virtual unless otherwise noted






  • Registering as a King County contractor, opt-in to County rosters, and certifying as a small firm
  • How King County implements construction contracts
  • What to expect when submitting a bid to King County
  • Best practices for maximizing your opportunities
  • E-Procurement Supplier Portal introduction
 

  • Review Key Principles of Proposal Development (Bid/No Bid - Deliverables List – Burst)
  • Identify Key Win Themes (e.g., why YOU)
  • Develop Initial Bulleted Outlines
  • Write Proposal Sections
  • Review and Submit Your Proposal



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Govology classes, live and on demand, are Free for Washington PTAC clients – contact your PTAC counselor for access. Click here for the list of Govology this month’s live classes. 
 
Recorded webinars available 
PTAC provides technical assistance to help Washington businesses successfully compete in the government marketplace. A program of the Thurston Economic Development Council, in partnership with the following subcenters: