Helping businesses find, win and perform on government contracts •
maineptac.org
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Welcome Kara Upton
The Maine PTAC team is growing! We’re thrilled to welcome Kara to the Maine PTAC team as our new Program Assistant. During her professional career, Kara has acquired a wide variety of skills and knowledge that have given her the ability to be adaptable in many situations. With her strong customer service background, administrative skills, and compassion for people and animals alike, she strives to maintain a welcoming environment for all around her. Kara creates strong foundations for collaboration by developing personal and professional relationships. Originally from Washington State, Kara relocated to Maine in the spring of 2019 with her family.
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Has COVID-19 Taken Over Your Inbox?
Bryan Wallace, Procurement Counselor
For the better part of three weeks my inbox has been flooded by COVID-19 related webinars, zoom meetings, resources, etc. All good information, all good intentioned… and it’s all too much to keep track of.
I’ve seen good information, which a few months ago I would have forwarded on to the business clients in my region. However, I don’t want to just be the fourth organization you receive the same information from, becoming part of the burden of duplication.
To that end, Eastern Maine Development Corporation has compiled a broad list of
COVID-19 Resources
that we update regularly. I can’t list everything here, but to spark your interest, the page contains resources for workers, for businesses and for communities. I recently forwarded this very link on to a friend who owns a restaurant. He’s not a PTAC client, just someone who needed information.
Have a look, bookmark the page if you want, and as always, reach out if you have questions, concerns or something you feel we should add to this
page of resources
! And if you have any questions, reach out to your local PTAC Counselor.
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Proposal Writing: Deliver a Solution
Dana Delano, Procurement Counselor
At a recent Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Center (APTAC) conference in Chicago, I attended several workshops designed to assist in understanding the important steps in proposal writing for solicitations. The one thing that really stood out was the requirement for companies to ‘Deliver the Solution’ to a government entities ‘need’, whether it is a product or service.
Too many proposals are focused more on the company and less on the solution your company is going to provide. “Company XYZ is a world class solution-based firm with highly dedicated employees and a history of success. Let me tell you more and more about our company…” Page after page of self-promotion and light on what is really important: How are you going to deliver a solution to the problem within the solicitation?
The typical rule of thumb is no more than 10% of the proposal is about the company, its employees and their business philosophies. 90% of the proposal is used to address the problem statements, Statement of Work and whether your solution meets the “ASK” contained within the solicitation. Does your solution (product or service) make sense? Is it reasonable? Is it competitive? And does it truly address the real “need” for the agency that wrote the solicitation. Talk with your PTAC Counselor, it is what we do.
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Save Your Money: SAM Registration is Free
Miranda Pelkey, Procurement Counselor
So you’ve decided you want to explore government contract work and you do a google search about how to start the process. Suddenly, your inbox is bombarded with offers to assist you in registering in the System for Award Management (SAM) for a “reasonable” price. While becoming registered in SAM.gov is a necessary step in pursuing FEDERAL contract work, not all businesses that are interested in government work are required to complete this registration. State and local municipalities, do not require a SAM registration in order to bid on their contracts so business owners should consider what type of contract they are interested in exploring and only register accordingly.
Now, if your business decides it is interested in securing a federal contract there are many for profit companies that will happily take your money in order to assist you with the SAM.gov registration process. However, if you are like thousands of other small business owners who do not like paying for a service that is otherwise free, your first step should be to contact your local PTAC Counselor. Not only do PTAC Counselors assist small businesses with initial SAM registrations and renewals, they are members of a national organization of counselors who are up to date on the latest system changes, policies and procedures. Since the PTAC program is funded by federal and state tax dollars, there is never any charge to the business owner for this, or any of our services.
Under normal circumstances, PTAC Counselors are willing to come to your place of business or meet with you in their office in order to walk you through the registration, step by step. However, while we are all social distancing, assistance is still just an email or phone call away. Your PTAC Counselor can walk you through the process via phone, email or video conference to make your registration process quick and simple. Bottom line, be careful what you pay for and contact your local PTAC for any and all government contracting questions.
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Katie and the Downeast Offices
Katie Bragg, Procurement Counselor
Some thoughts for when things get back to normal…
Do you live Downeast but you aren’t able to meet Katie at Sunrise County Economic Council’s office in Machias where she is based? Maybe you are located closer to Calais. Did you know that SCEC has an office there as well and Katie could meet with you there?
While Katie spends most of her time at SCEC’s main office in Machias, SCEC has an office in the main building of Washington County Community College, in Calais. If you are closer to that side of the county, Katie is able to meet with you at the Calais office. Also housed in the Calais office is the SCEC loan program’s program manager, Susan Hatton.
Of course right now all PTAC staff is working from home to continue with social distancing, but once we are back in the office for business as normal, Katie can meet you at either office.
If you would like to set up a time to meet with Katie in the Calais office, she can be reached at 255-0983 or 620-2273.
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