May 2018 - In This Issue:
ABOUT US

The SBTDC/PTAC Program's purpose is to generate employment and improve the general economic condition of the state by assisting  North Carolina companies including those eligible for business development programs for local, state and federal government contracts. We provide procurement technical assistance by offering no-fee and confidential counseling on selling your products and/or services to the appropriate local, state or federal government agency.
THE TEAM
MARK MILLS
PTAC Program Director
919.600.6096


GEORGE GRIFFIN
PTAC Counselor 
Greensboro / Winston-Salem
336.256.9302


REBECCA BARBOUR
PTAC Counselor
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
919.513.0623


SCOTT BARKER
PTAC Counselor 
Elizabeth City / Greenville / Wilmington
252.737.1369


DON CARMEN
PTAC Counselor 
Fayetteville / Pembroke
910.672.1352


RICHARD SPEIGHTS
PTAC Counselor 
Charlotte
704.687.0443


PAM RACER
PTAC Counselor 
Asheville / Hickory / Boone / Cullowhee
828.251.6025

ADDITIONAL SBTDC RESOURCES
ACCELERATE: A BLOG FOR CEOs OF MID-SIZED FIRMS
SBTDC's Strategy and Growth Services blog, Accelerate, helps CEOs of mid-sized companies make business and leadership improvements through helpful insight, resources, and tools.
Learn more »


TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION SERVICES
The SBTDC's Technology Commercialization Services team provides business counseling to small to mid-sized business owners, university researchers, and entrepreneurs looking to advance their innovations to the marketplace.
Learn more »


INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The SBTDC's International Business Development Specialists assists small and mid-sized businesses with export planning and exporting.
 Learn more »
Director's Corner: 
More on SAM.gov Hack
By Mark G. Mills, PTAC Program Director at North Carolina State University
GSA has announced: "Beginning April 27, 2018, entities renewing or updating their [SAM] registration will be required to submit an original, signed notarized letter confirming the authorized Entity Administrator associated with the DUNS number before the registration is activated." This comes in addition to the current requirement for new SAM registrants to submit such a letter. GSA has developed a template that businesses can use to create this letter, and the Office of Systems Management of the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS)-the branch of GSA responsible for SAM-has reached out to several PTAC experts for their feedback.

Micro-Purchases: Changes are coming!  
By Rebecca Barbour, PTAC counselor at North Carolina State University
Micro purchases represent the smallest federal purchase, but account of over $8 billion in annual federal spending. Defined in FAR Subpart 13.2, micro purchases do not require full provisions and clauses, may be awarded without competitive solicitations, and are typically made using government purchase cards (P-Cards). The micro purchase threshold has long been set at $3,000, but that is changing with the 2018 NDAA. The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act has raised the micro-purchase threshold to $10,000 for all civilian agencies. The micro purchase threshold was previously raised to $5,000 for the Department of Defense with the 2017 NDAA. By definition, the federal buyers will now be able to make purchases up to $10,000 without competitive solicitations. Buyers will still be expected to determine price reasonableness and properly document these transactions.

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PTAC Client Success Story 
S2Technologies
By Rebecca Barbour, PTAC counselor at North Carolina State University
S2Technologies is a professional services firm providing mission-focused Technical, Programmatic, Management and Administrative support to Federal Defense and Civilian agencies as well as commercial customers. Founded in 2011 by Maggie Stein, the company operates with the mission of bringing together mission-experienced veterans and customers to create a decisive advantage. S2 holds active HUBZone, SDVOSB, EDWOSB, and NC HUB certifications.

Company owner Maggie Stein reached out to the NC PTAC in 2017. The company had one prime contract as well as several subcontracts and was looking to expand their prime contracting experience as well as expand their functional capabilities and expand their DoD customer base. Maggie and her PTAC counselor discussed the opportunities available in the C4ISR arena, as well as other IT opportunities with federal customers. From this initial meeting, Maggie and her counselor continued to work together, addressing topics including wage determination, pricing agreements, and procurement research. As the company was experiencing rapid growth, Maggie also utilized the services of the SBTDC's business counselors for financial planning and management counseling.

Maggie's hard work continues to pay off for S2Technologies. The company was recently awarded a prime contract with the Department of Veteran's Affairs. S2 continues to look for new opportunities at both the prime and subcontract level, and plans to venture into state and local contracting this year. For more information about the company, please review their website at http://www.s2techllc.com .


SELLING TO THE GOVERNMENT

5 West Hargett St., Suite 600
Raleigh, NC 27601
919.600.5998
The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

The Procurement Technical Assistance Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the 
Defense Logistics Agency

Copyright © 2018. NC Small Business and Technology Development Center.  All Rights Reserved.