Whether You’re a Contracting Novice or an Old Pro, PTACs Can Help You Take Your Business to a New Level.
By Cassie Kreitner

Are you thinking about government contracting? Are you in the process of competing for a government contract? Have you already landed a government contract? Whatever your level of experience with government contracts, a Procurement Technical Assistance Center can help.

The 93 nonprofit PTACs nationwide provide an invaluable source of information for small businesses looking to expand their knowledge of government contracts. Last year, 99,000 contracts totaling over $14 billion were awarded to small businesses that are PTAC clients.

The centers serve as a liaison between government organizations and the small-business contractor community. Their purpose is twofold. PTACs help small businesses expand their market and obtain more contracts. They help government agencies reach their quota of small-business suppliers, while providing them a wider variety of competitive bids to choose from.

Congress authorized the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP) in 1985. to help expand the number of small businesses contracting with local, state have opened throughout the country in cities, on college campuses, and in government buildings.

The United States is split into 10 PTAC regions so that programs can be tailored for different geographic areas and demographics. While the services and resources PTACs offer may vary depending on location and the needs of their surrounding areas, each center is well equipped with trained and experienced professionals offering the latest, up-to-date information. Services offered at most locations include marketing (ranging from developing a brochure or presentation to an entire marketing plan), helping with pricing strategy, contract proposals, accounting and more.

For beginners, procurement professionals at PTACs can help you learn the steps behind the necessary registrations and certifications, and can help you become familiar with the time-consuming process of bidding on a contract. For those with prior contract experience, PTACs provide a range of resources ranging from networking seminars to one-on-one consultations. Small businesses can also reach out to PTACs for follow-up assistance even after a government contract is secured.

PTACs primarily aim to fill contracts for the defense industry, since the PTAP program was first administered by the Defense Logistics Agency, part of the Department of Defense. However, a range of other areas within the government now use clients from PTAC as well.

If you’re considering entering government contracting, PTACs can help you determine whether federal contracts are a good untapped source of business, or whether you’re better off focusing on other markets.

For more information on Procurement Technical Assistance Centers and how to find a location near you, visit www.aptac-us.org/new/.

Cassie  Kreitner is a sophomore at Syracuse University majoring in magazine journalism and marketing. Search the Web: Syracuse University Search News.