A Business Development Service from the Department of Defense and

the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation

DESC Small Business Networking & Training Conference

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

RIEDC and DoD

The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation has been awarded a new Cost-Sharing Cooperative Agreement with the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency, leveraging state with a 50% increase in federal funding.

– The RIEDC has hosted the RI PTAC for over 24 years.

– One of 93 networked centers in 49 states + Puerto Rico & Guam, staffed by over 450 Gov. Contracting Specialists

– Purpose: to help business firms market their products & services to federal, state, and local government agencies.

PTAC Mission• The PTACs' mission is to maximize the number of

capable RI companies participating in the government marketplace by...

• providing businesses with an understanding of the requirements of government contracting and the marketing know-how they need to obtain and successfully perform federal, state, and local government contracts, and

• supporting government agencies in reaching and working with the suppliers they need.

PTAC’s Mission

• To maximize support for the war fighter by improving supplier accessibility and supply chain management.

• To support overall national security by ensuring a broad base of capable suppliers for the defense industry and other agencies, enhancing competition and ensuring that government agencies realize the best value for their procurement dollars.

• To improve local economies by helping US businesses successfully compete for government contracts, thereby creating and retaining jobs and bringing other economic benefits to states and local communities.

• To support government agency efforts to meet their mandated small business goals for contracting dollars.

PTAC’s Goals

• The services of the RIPTAC are free to any existing commercial company with an active presence in Rhode Island and e-commerce capability.

• Through its staff of experienced professionals and its online resources, the RI PTAC offers group training and one-on-one counseling sessions on a variety of topics…

PTAC Services

• Completing federal and state registrations and certifications

• Understanding the language and basics of government contracting

• Developing a government marketing strategy

• Identifying appropriate government buying offices

• Matching firms’ products and/or services with open bids for proposals

• Identifying sub-contracting leads and opportunities

• Obtaining specifications, standards and buying histories

• Preparing applications for certifications and registrations

• Interpreting solicitations and government regulations

• Developing and writing bids and proposals

• Complying with military packaging and labeling

• Providing post award assistance in areas such as production, quality systems requirements, finance, engineering and transportation.

Menu of Services

• In our 4th Option year ending Jan. 09, RI PTAC clients reported $233,022,531 in contracts and subcontracts, a 40% increase over the previous year

• During 2008, the RI PTAC held 374 counseling sessions with 263 clients and sponsored 30 training and outreach events attended by 1604 individuals

• This supports 4660 RI jobs according to the Defense Logistics Agency

Working for RI Jobs

• RI PTAC clients report adding 220 new jobs during 2008

• Over the past 5 years of our contract, PTAC clients have reported over $746 million in contract and subcontract awards

Working for RI Jobs

• Because the DoD matches the state contribution to the PTAC, we are subject to – Detailed quarterly program accounting and

performance reviews– Client satisfaction surveys– DCMA and DCAA audits– Competitive funding awards from DLA

PTAC’s Accountability

Based on last year’s budget and audited performance:

• The cost to the state per job is $17.85

• The ROI of federal funds is 1698/l

• The cost to the client is $0

PTAC’s ROI

• The Procurement Technical Assistance Program will play a vital role in assuring the growth in sales by RI businesses to the government thus supporting both the creation of high wage jobs and promoting further technology innovation

• As a Workforce Development tool, the PTAC program is a pragmatic approach to helping RI businesses build technological capacity, transition to high wage jobs, and help make Rhode Island a contributor to the defense industrial base of the future

PTAC as Economic Development

These contract awards represent an increased number of suppliers for the Department of Defense and other government agencies, resulting in – greater competition, increases the number of

qualified small, woman-owned, and veteran-owned contractors

– higher quality goods and services at lower costs, and – a more prudent expenditure of taxpayer dollars.

PTAC Clients Add Value

The RI PTAC has taken a point position in assisting Rhode Island Businesses in preparing to participate in over $150 Million in construction projects at Naval Station Newport and nearly $110 Million in Coast Guard and National Guard projects throughout the state.

PTAC Facilitates BRAC Newport Build Out

February 26 Responding to a ProposalMarch 19 Introduction to Government Contracting April 23 GSA Multiple Award Schedules April 30 Government Contracting 101 at Newport Chamber of CommerceMay 28 Doing Business with Defense Supply CentersMay 20 NUWC Industry DayJune 9 SBA Small Business Week, Intro. To Gov. ContractingJune 25 Marketing to the GovernmentJuly 23 Opportunities in Government Sub-ContractingAugust 12 Intro to Gov Cont at N. Kingstown ChamberAugust 31 Intro to Gov Cont. & Selling to State Govt. at America East, SBA ConferenceSept. 17 DoD Packaging, RFID , and WAWF Workshop with DCMASeptember 24 Intro to Government Contracting /Preparation for Fall MatchmakerOctober 22 Proposal PreparationNovember 9 NCMA/PTAC Contract Management TrainingNovember 10 Veteran’s Matchmaker @ NUWCNovember 18-19 DoD Matchmaker and Training, Tarrytown, NYDecember 17 Client Issue Forum

2009 Training Schedule

• “The training and connections that you have made available has taken all the mystery out of doing business with the government.

JMB Mechanical Inc., Johnston, RI

• We have worked with PTAC to get assistance with working with various government agencies. We have received three contracts as a direct result of their assistance with a variety of topics from how to find the business to a detailed contract review.”

Brave River Solutions, Warwick, RI

• “The Rhode Island PTAC has supported A2Bs educational efforts over the past several years. These contracts have enabled A2B to retain all employees and will result in an increase of approximately two dozen jobs in Rhode Island.

a2b Tracking Solutions, Portsmouth, RI

• “As the result of the PTAC office in RI we were awarded a GSA contract. Since that time we have received many orders through GSA Advantage totaling more than $100,000 and we received many compliments from government people about our GSA contract and how it has made it easier for the government to obtain our products.”

Malcom Company Inc., Tiverton, RI

• “During the contract negotiation process the PTAC staff were an invaluable resource in interpreting the complex language found in federal contracts. PTACs assistance helped to make the whole negotiation process go smoothly and allowed for rapid execution of the contrast.”

American Ecotech – Warren, RI

What our Clients say…

• Richard L. Ferro –Rt. Col. US Air Force with 25 years of procurement in IT, 11 years Contract Compliance Officer with Motorola. Holds the highest National Contract Management Association professional rating of Certified Professional Contracts Manager and has served on NCMA’s national board of directors. Richard has been with the RI PTAC for 5 years

• Louis S. Francis – In addition to having run his own small business, Lou has over 20 years experience in State and Municipal government minority business programs, and holds his Juris Doctorate from George Washington University and a Professional Certificate in Contract Compliance. With 4 years with the PTAC he holds a Level III rating of Certified Contracting Assistance Specialist from the DoD’s Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers

• Dorothy A. Reynolds – Prior experience includes 35 years of senior management experience with large and medium sized international corporations, numerous board assignments including 7 years on the board of the RIEDC. Dorothy has been Program Manager for the RI PTA program since 2003 and holds the APTAC Level III Certified Contracting Assistance Specialist rating

Staff Credentials

• CT – www.ctptap.org

• ME – www.maineptac.org

• MA- www.msbdc.org/ptac

• NH – www.nheconomy.com/ptac

• VT – www.thingvermont.com/gmac

• Others – www.aptac-us.org

Contact a Local PTAC