Message from Frank Dixon, State Director |
CTPTAC’s 2020 program year proved to be an interesting one to say the least, which required adjustments due to the pandemic. On March 13th we moved into a full remote format with our services; conducting 1600 plus counseling hours towards our annual goals, facilitated 50 plus virtual client training events, and accumulated 100 plus staff professional development hours. Already adept in virtual trainings, via “Go-to-Meetings” played a major role in the program achieving an average of 13% above all annual goals.
Another great testament to our very new staff’s hard work resulted in PTAC clients winning $240 plus million dollars in direct and subcontract awards this year. In addition to our notable client success stories, this year involved some of our clients winning contracts for the first time; which helped the federal, state and local governments meet their demand for Covid-19 related products and services.
Although we will continue to work primarily in a remote capacity, I’m extremely optimistic about the upcoming 2021 program year, as CTPTAC is better equipped to assist our clients, strategic partners, and local communities enhance and grow their their knowledge in government contracting with an immediate focus on Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and Beta.Sam.gov.; in addition to, Women Owned Small Businesses, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, and Socio-Economic Certifications.
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Dec. 1: How to do Business with Northrop Grumman
Dec. 8: OSDBU Offices--How to Find Federal Agencies, Market and Network to Them
Dec. 15: How to Navigate beta.sam.gov
Dec. 22: Understanding & Obtaining the SBA's WOSB & EDWOSB Certifications
Jan. 12: FAR Overview: Types of Federal Contract Competition
Jan 19: GSA Schedule Rescue Camp: Steps You Need to Take Now
Jan 26: Subcontractor Expectations in Federal Contracting
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Webinars that build your federal and state contracting acumen |
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Connect with us on social media
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FYIs from CT PTAC Procurement Specialists |
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Valerie Marchand
Procurement Specialist
Groton Office
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Tips for Government Contracting During COVID-19
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Develop a current, digital capability statement. (Click here to learn how.) This is necessary for remote networking for the foreseeable future.
- Use this time to consider new markets. Can you pivot your offerings from federal to state, or vice versa? Are there other government agencies you haven't previously researched? As a result of the pandemic, are there any new opportunities arising that you could provide?
- Consider potential COVID-19 implications on your business or workflow. Consider these impacts on your supply chain, production, etc. If you have recently submitted a proposal and foresee inability to meet pre-COVID-19 requirements, communicate this with the agency before it is too late.
- Contact your contracting officer immediately if you anticipate any delays in execution of a current contract.
- Document any COVID-19-related instances that contribute to a delay in execution of a contract - supply chain issues, financial complications, etc.
- Communicate with your supply chain regularly!
- Reach out to your CTPTAC Counselor and update your bid matching to ensure opportunities appear in your daily emails.
- Participate in the weekly webinars to stay current on government contracting changes.
- Keep current on all your registrations.
- Stay informed.
Review cybersecurity obligations within your federal contract when allowing employees to work from home.
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Cheryl DeMarco
Procurement Specialist
Hartford Office
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Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)
Partnering with Industry
The TKO seminar is a session that teaches vendors how to START doing business with Defense Logistics Agency. Vendors learn how to find open solicitations, how to submit a quote through the DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS), the procedures for viewing/downloading drawings, and how to use Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) to get paid. There will also be many other relevant topics of discussion. This course is designed for dealers, distributors, and manufacturers, but NOT a company that provides services. All sessions are held at DLA Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio, free of charge. The only cost you incur is lodging, food, and transportation based on individual location.
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Yu-Han (Jamie) Yang
Database Media Manager/ Procurement Specialist
East Hartford Office
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As this year comes to an end, I wanted to thank you for staying with CTPTAC. You've achieved fantastic results in the time we've been working together, so I wanted to share our testimonial form to see if you'd be interested in sharing your personal CTPTAC experience with others. We would share the information on our website, social media, and other marketing platforms, and this would be a valuable marketing opportunity for your business as well. Our website visitors and social media followers will get a chance to learn more about your business and your PTAC experience. If you have any questions or issues submitting the form, please contact me at yyang@secter.org. I hope you have a safe, warm and happy holiday season with family and friends.
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Marisol Herrera
Procurement Specialist
Fairfield County
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Procurement Forecast
Did you know that by law, federal agencies are required to share their procurement needs?
There is an Office of Small Disadvantage Business Utilization (OSDBU) located within every federal agency and they work to increase the number of contract opportunities small businesses can go after. One way they do this is by compiling Forecast Opportunities. OSDBU is responsible for promoting the use of small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), women-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and HUBZone small businesses. By helping businesses identify procurement opportunities as early in the acquisition process as possible, may lead to improved communication with industry and assist small businesses with its marketing efforts.
Contact your Procurement Counselor to schedule a FY2021 Procurement Forecast meeting and find other FY2021 forecasts and start planning for a prosperous New Year!
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Small Business Administration (SBA) |
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The U.S. Government is the largest customer in the world, buying all types of products and services — in both large and small quantities. By law, the U.S. Government is required to consider buying from small businesses. The U.S. Government buys from small businesses to:
• Support small businesses as engines of economic development &job creation
• Offer opportunities to disadvantaged socio-economic groups
• Gain access to the new ideas that small businesses provide
• Ensure that large businesses don’t “muscle out” small businesses
Upcoming SBA's Government Contracting Workshops
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On November 20, 2020, seCTer hosted its first-ever virtual Annual Meeting. Produced live from the studios of Creative Konnection on Bank Street in New London, CT, Executive Director Nancy Cowser and Board Chairman Mark Oefinger delivered key insights and achievements from the year, including program and financial highlights. Click the video below for a full replay of the 2020 Annual Meeting:
CTPTAC is hosted by Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer).
See what CTPTAC clients are saying!
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Wednesday with the Deputy for Small Business |
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This is an opportunity for Industry partners to meet with the Deputy for Small Business from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), Keyport Division, and the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS/IMF).
Date: December 16, 2020
Time: 9:00am - 10:30am
Location: Virtual - Through Microsoft Teams
Who: Best suits companies with the following NAICS Codes:
- 541330 (Engineering Services)
- 334419 (Other Electronic Component Manufacturing)
- 334511 (Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing)
- 333618 (Other Engine Equipment Manufacturing)
- 332710 (Machine Shops)
- 334111 (Electronic Computer Manufacturing)
- 541712(Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (Except Biotechnology))
- 511210 (Software Publishers)
- 334112 (Computer Storage Device Manufacturing)
- 334118 (Computer Terminal and other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing)
- 541519 (Other Computer Related Services)
- 335912 (Primary Battery Manufacturing)
- 334417 (Electronic Connector Manufacturing)
- 519190 (All Other Information Services)
- 331492 (Secondary Smelting, Refining, and Alloying of Nonferrous Metal (Except Copper and Aluminum)
- 334515 (Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals)
- 336611 (Ship Building and Repairing)
- 811310 (Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance)
- 611430 (Professional and Management Development Training)
This event will be virtual. To register, email the POC your name, company name, CAGE Code, Top NAICS Codes, and capability statement. The registrant will receive a link to attend the Tuesday prior to the event.
Point of Contact:
David Walz
Phone Number
(360) 315-6791
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Several SBIR/STTR agencies currently have solicitations available, and two more will be releasing solicitations in December. A summary of the open and soon opening follows: |
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[1] Required Letter of Intent due on 1/4/21 5pm ET
[2] These three agencies use a two step process for releasing solicitations. The first step is to release topics. The second step is that typically about 4 weeks later the actual solicitation is released. During the period between the topic release and solicitation release is the only time you can speak with the Topic Author. We strongly suggest you contact the topic author during that period.
If your company finds a topic that your technology product could be a solution for, please contact BBC by filling out this form: CT Next Assessment form. This form will generate a phone call with one of BBC’s consultants to have a discussion with you about the SBIR/STTR Program. In addition, this call will determine whether you qualify for support from the CT Next SBIR support program.
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CTPTAC wishes everyone a happy, safe holiday season and joyful New Year. |
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Meet the CT PTAC Team
Solving the Puzzle of Government Contracting
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