August 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


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


NICK ECONOMOU
PTAC Counselor 
Charlotte
704.687.0443

UPCOMING EVENTS
Aug 7, 2018
Fayetteville, NC
Aug 15, 2018
Winston-Salem, NC
Aug 15, 2018
Wilmington, NC
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: 
We Want To Know!
By Mark G. Mills, PTAC Program Director at North Carolina State University
The North Carolina Procurement Technical Assistance Center wants to know about your training needs and requirements. As the PTAC Program Director I'm asking you to take 5 minutes to complete a survey so we can make better decisions creating and offering the training you would like to grow your business.

August events across the state
 
 
August 7 - FAYETTEVILLE: 17th Annual North Carolina Defense and Economic Development Trade Show http://www.ncmbc.us/2018dts/
 
August 15 - WILMINGTON: Discover SBA Business Development Programs and Boost your Business with a Federal Contract. This event is free to attend but you must register www.sbtdc.org/programs/ptac/sba-programs
 
August 15/16 - WINSTON-SALEM: 2018 Southeast Region Aerospace and Services Summit http://www.ncmbc.us/18seasam/
 
August 21/22 - RALEIGH: North Carolina Veterans Business Association 2018 Networking Reception and Procurement Summit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nc-vetbiz-2018-networking-reception-procurement-summit-tickets-46553677302

What should my bid price be on a government contract requirement?
By Nick Economou, PTAC counselor at UNC-Charlotte
You are pondering what price to bid on a government contract but wish you had additional information. You want to be competitive but you don't want to lose money if you the contract. Although losing a bid is disheartening, winning a bid that brings your company a loss can be serious mistake as well. Unlike the commercial world, you are entitled to know what the government has been paying for like products and services.
 
When looking at previous pricing for your product or service, ask yourself: are they soliciting the very same product or service? Be sure to pay attention to the bid instruction, conditions of purchase, delivery and payment. When determining the amount of the offer, make sure to include all costs of material, labor, overhead, packaging, and transportation.
 
What are some of the sources you can use to help you develop your bid price?   Pricing History: the procuring contracting office can provide you with the prices of current contracts for identical or similar items. It's always good to check for the contact point noted on Standard Form 33 or the point of contact noted in the FBO notice.  

Read more
PTAC Client Success Story 
Applied Automation
By  Nick Economou, PTAC Counselor at UNC-Charlotte



Applied Automation is a small, minority, Small Business Administration (SBA) federally certified HUBZone https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program business involved with systems integration and focused on process improvements. Services include implementing process control automation, panel building and subassembly, asset management and industrial controls and safety products. Applied Automation also provides electrical services and implements Six Sigma tools into their solutions. For over 15 years, Applied Automation has provided services to Federal government customers as well as State and Local agencies, including many commercial entities. The company recently completed a federal requirement for the United States Navy.
 
Scott Miles, President of the company, contacted the local PTAC counselor recently for assistance in expediting his SAM renewal registration. Working with Scott and a key GSA representative in Washington DC, the PTAC counselor was able to obtain expedited approval within an hour. Applied Automation began its relationship with the Charlotte SBTDC/PTAC Office in 2003. The company has attended our business conferences, worked together on business development strategies and market research. For more information about Applied Automation and their products and services, please visit their website: www.appliedautomation4u.com




SELLING TO THE GOVERNMENT

5 West Hargett St., Suite 600
Raleigh, NC 27601
919.600.5998