My ProductCamp Austin presentation on government contracting and procurement. Elizabeth Quintanilla

1. sponsors

2. please take a moment to Identify someone to watch time – give 5 minute warning at :45 minutes. Identify someone to take notes – post notes to http://barcamp.org/ProductCampAustinSummer2010Notes Thank our sponsors

3. Government Contracts: Navigating the G-Spot

4. Where do I start? Finding Government Contracts is daunting! Need to ask myself – Do I want: Federal State County City Can I get anything if I’m not a disabled Native American Female Iraqi Veteran?

5. YES!!!!!!!! Why should I? Lots of opportunities at Federal Level on various projects TxDOT just with the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has projects valued up to $505 Million Austin has 2000 contracts valued at $1.6 Billion

6. Learn the Acronyms Be Prepared to learn lots of Acronyms NASA: National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration RFI: Request for Information RFP: Request for Proposal If you are lost, Google really is your best friend. Thank the Public Information Act!

7. Federal: Register www.ccr.gov

8. Federal: Be Aware of GSA Schedules www.gsa.gov

9. Federal: Monitor www.fbo.gov

10. State of Texas: Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) http://www.window.state.tx.us/procurement/prog/cmbl/ Note: The CMBL is not an approved vendors list

11. State: Be sure to have the right commodity codes in the CMBL Only list codes for those services or goods you actually can provide!!

12. State: Procurement Thresholds Non Competitive: up to $5000 No Solicitation is required Informal Solicitations: $5000.01 - $25000 Request may come by phone, fax, email Keep all contact information up to date 3 Vendor Minimum (2 must be HUB) All Vendors must be on CMBL Formal Solicitations: Over $25000 Posted on Electronic States Business Daily (ESBD) Have Terms and Conditions

13. State: Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) http://esbd.cpa.state.tx.us/

14. State: HUB – Historically Underutilized Businesses Mission of Statewide HUB Program is to facilitate the use of HUBs in state procurement, and to effectively provide information on the state’s procurment process to minority and women-owned businesses. Important: This is not a set aside program.

15. Still need to market to State Entities Still need an elevator pitch and marketing plan! Even if not a HUB, can reach to HUB coordinators for better contact in the agency State Entities include: Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Railroad Commission Texas Department of Transportation University of Texas System And Many Others…..

16. State: Transportation is TxDOT www.dot.state.tx.us Special Minority/Woman Certification: DBE

17. State: Department of Information Resources (DIR) www2.dir.state.tx.us

18. State: DIR is more than just State Eligible Customers: State Agencies, Higher Ed, ISD, Cities, Counties, and more Region 3 accounted for 42% of contracts! Has over 2800 Active Customers and over $640 million in contract opportunities RFOs posted on ESBD – check often! Contracts are awarded on Best Value

19. Travis County: More Opportunities! http://www.co.travis.tx.us/purchasing/default.asp

20. Travis County: All opportunities on BidSync www.bidsync.com

21. City of Austin: Register as a Vendor https://www.ci.austin.tx.us/vss/Advantage Be sure your commodity codes are correct!!!

22. City of Austin: SMBR Office Again – this is not a set aside program

23. City of Austin: Online Contract Catalog http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/finance/catalog/index.cfm

24. City of Austin: Notification Can Notify by Phone, Email, Fax, or Mail

25. Government Marketing Opportunities Be Patient – There are opportunities out there. Market, Research, Observe, and Network!!

26. Listen to Government Contract Winner

27. Any Questions?

28. sponsors