Government Contracting
The Idaho Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
Government agencies spend billions of dollars on goods and services every year. Any company, regardless of size, is eligible to compete for these contracts. The majority of federal purchases under $150,000 are set aside for small businesses, which opens new opportunities for many Idaho firms. Idaho Department of Commerce can help your company access this immense market through the Idaho PTAC. The Idaho PTAC assists local businesses in securing over $100,000,000.00 in federal contracts annually. Working with the Idaho PTAC is timely, efficient and productive. Using specially designed bid tracking software to access a variety of procurement systems, the Idaho PTAC alerts you to potential new customers and provides information on new opportunities that match your company’s product and service profile. The Idaho PTAC covers the entire state of Idaho representing businesses in all 44 Idaho counties. The Idaho PTAC is a service available to all Idaho businesses and is a great tool to expand your sales and marketing reach. Best of all, your membership is free.
For any questions about the Idaho PTAC, please call (208) 334-2470 Or e-mail: ptac@commerce.idaho.gov
The Idaho PTAC is specifically designed for Idaho companies. If you do not have a business address within Idaho, click here for procurement programs in other states.
Workshop & Event Details
DOING BUSINESS WITH THE GOVERNMENT
Feb 7 - Driggs at the Super 8, 1361 North Highway 33
Feb 8 - Preston at the Robinson Building, 186 West 2nd North
Feb 9 - Blackfoot at City Hall, 157 North Broadway
Feb 28 - Mountain Home at the Public Library, 790 North 10th East
This 4-hour training will be held from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM each day. It consists of presentations from SBA, ITD and PTAC with a guest Federal and Idaho state contracting officer. Training is FREE. Please register with ITD at (208) 334-8567 or (800) 634-7790 if you are planning to attend. Similar training will be held throughout the state of Idaho in Mar and Apr 2012. Look for future announcements.
PTAC INTERVIEW WITH SANDLER TRAINING
Click on the link below to listen to the recording of the first interview between Gary Moore, Idaho PTAC Program Manager and Justin Stephens, Crossroads Business Development.
http://www.crossroads.sandler.com/avcontent/show/1262
ONLINE TRAINING
The Defense Acquisition University training site is back on line for all people who were or are interested in taking the Federal Contracting Certification Course(s). Please contact Lee Velten (208) 334-2470 for more details.
Information on Doing Business With...
ITD DBE Newsletters Jun 2011 http://www.itd.idaho.gov/civil/pdf/Jun11.pdf
ITD DBE Newsletter 12 month archive http://www.itd.idaho.gov/civil/dbeforms.htm
FAQs
Getting Started
I’m new to government contracting. How do I sell to the federal government?
If you want to sell your products/services to the federal government you must first find your DUNS number. The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is a unique nine character identification number provided by Dun & Bradstreet which provides identifiers to single entity businesses while linking corporate family structures together. This process is FREE of charge and only takes a few minutes. Please contact 1-866-705-5711 to receive your DUNS number. You can also visit www.dnb.com for more information.
Find out your NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes. These are six digit codes that describe the products and services you offer. Visit the NAICS home page at www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/. Be sure to keep these codes handy, as you will need them when filling out government registrations or searching for bids.
Next, you must register with the Central Contractors Registration (CCR). Their website is located at www.ccr.gov then click “Start New Registration”. Companies who want to do business with the Federal Government are required to be registered in CCR. There are NO fees associated with this registration.
New registrations can take up to 72 hours before they are considered active. Afterwards, you will be issued a CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) code. The Federal Government uses this CAGE code when it pays you for goods and services. If you still have a TPIN, please log into CCR and change your TPIN to a User ID & Password. The User ID & Password allows you to login to CCR, view your account, and make changes to your CCR profile.
After signing up for CCR, be sure to fill out the additional information provided by the SBA to register in the Dynamic Small Business Search within the CCR website. This provides a database for you to market your company and for government contractors and prime contractors to use when they are looking for vendors.
After signing up for CCR, Be sure to complete your ORCA (Online Representations and Certification application) at https://orca.bpn.gov/ . This registration allows you to enter your reps and certs information just once for use on all future government contracts.
Local Resources
Where can I get information on HUBZone and 8(a) certification?
These programs are available through the US Small Business Administration.
Where can I get information on becoming a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)?
This program is available through the Idaho Department of Transportation.
Where can I get information on selling to the State of Idaho?
This information is available through the Idaho Department of Administration/Division of Purchasing.